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ASA OF BETHLEHEM 


AND 


HIS HOUSEHOLD. 


B C. IV.— A. D. XXX. 

BY 

MARY ELIZABETH JENNINGS. 




NEW 

ANSON D. F. RANDOLPH AND COMPANY, 
182 Fifth Avenue. 

1895. 



Copyright, 1S95, 

By Anson D. F. Randolph and Co. 


2Enfocrsttg press: 

John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A. 


In the writing of this little story , the Author has 
read and studied many books , among which Eder- 
sheim's “ Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah and 
Andrews's “ Life of Our Lord,” have been most help- 
ful. Acknowledgment is due to these two writers for 
facts regarding Temple services ; description of the 
manners and customs of the people; and, to Edersheim 
especially , for the peculiar coloring and atmosphere of 
the times , such as can be found nowhere else. 

M. E. f. 


Elmira , N. Y. 





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CONTENTS. 


Chapter Page 

I. A.D. 4. Asa’s Household 11 

The Strangers from Nazareth 16 

A Wonderful Sight 17 

A Visit to the Inn 18 

II. A Persian City at Midnight 23 

The Journey of the Wise Men ...... 24 

The Babe taken to the Temple 26 

III. Arrival of the Wise Men at Jerusalem . . . 35 

Their Reception at the Palace 38 

They find Jesus at Bethlehem 39 

IV. Murder of Benjamin 45 

Death and Burial of the King 49 

Letter from Nain 52 

V. Birth of Esther 55 

Gossip about Jesus of Nazareth 56 

The Passover Feast 62 

Meeting with Joseph and Mary at Jerusalem . 64 

Jesus lost 65 

VI. A.D. 26 71 

Judah and Obed seek the Prophet in the Wil- 
derness 75 

VII. Jesus proclaimed the Messiah 83 

On the Way to Jerusalem 86 

The Excitement at the Temple 88 


vi Contents. 


Chapter Page 

Esther’s Visit to her Kinsfolk at Nain ... 90 

The Reading of Esther’s Letter 90 

By a Samaritan Well-side 93 

VIII. Esther’s Return 99 

The Account of the Service at the Synagogue 

of Nazareth 101 

The Sick Folk of Capernaum 102 

IX. Asa’s Journey 108 

His Questioning upon the Way . . . . . no 

X. Asa’s Arrival at Capernaum 121 

He finds Jesus and listens to His Teaching . 122 

The Centurion’s Request 127 

Asa’s Confession to Jesus 127 

How Jesus received it 128 

XI. The Journey to Nain 133 

The Death of Levi 135 

“ I say unto thee, arise ! ” 136 

Obed’s Account of Jesus’s Stay in the Wilder- 
ness 141 

XII. The Storm on the Lake 147 

Judas Iscariot’s Evening with Asa’s Household 149 

Ezra’s Hatred of Jesus 152 

XIII. Levi accompanies Judas Iscariot to Capernaum 159 

Jairus and Jesus 160 

Feeding the Multitude 163 

Upon the Lake in a great Wind-storm . . . 165 

Jesus’s Care of His Friends 1 66 

Judas Iscariot’s Dissatisfaction 169 

XIV. Asa’s Illness 173 

Ezra becomes a Spy 175 

A Tradition of the Elders 176 


Contents. 


- vii 

Chapter Page 

Jesus speaks of His Death 178 

Peter’s Question 180 

XV. Going up to Jerusalem for the Feast . . . 183 

The City of Booths 184 

Levi asks Jesus to help his Kinsman Asa . 187 

Asa and Rachel 189 

The Last Days of the Feast 193 

Jesus in the Temple 195 

His Invitation 195 

XVI. The Chamber of Hewn Stones 201 

Address of Caiaphas 201 

Ezra craves Audience with the High Priest . 202 

What Levi heard in Jerusalem 205 

XVII. Jesus tells His Friends of His approaching 

Death 21 1 

Judas Iscariot’s Temptation 212 

The Supper at the House of Simon of Bethany 213 

Judas Iscariot’s Decision 215 

The Jews’ Passover 216 

Jesus enters Jerusalem 217 

Asa and his Family spend an Afternoon on 

the Mount of Olives 218 

Levi’s Account of Jesus’s Answer to the 

Scribes and Pharisees 220 

XVIII. Secret Meeting of the Sanhedrin .... 225 

Ezra and Judas Iscariot seek the High Priest 225 

Judas Iscariot receives his Money .... 226 

The Paschal Supper 227 

The Garden of Gethsemane 230 

Mark’s Story 231 

Judas Iscariot 232 


viii' Contents. 


Chapter Page 

XIX. Jesus condemned 241 

Asa, with Rachel, Esther, and Ruth, leaves 

Jerusalem 242 

Asa’s Last Look at the Temple ...... 243 

The Mid-day Darkness and the Earthquake . 244 

The Return of Obed and Judah 246 

Their Account of Peter’s Denial, and the Trial 

and Death of Jesus 247 

XX. “ Christ is Risen ! ” 257 

Levi and Cleopas 258 

Levi makes a Request of his Mother .... 262 

What Peter and John told in the Temple . . 263 

Ezra a Leper 268 

His aged Mother 268 


































































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A. D. 4. — ASA’S HOUSEHOLD. — THE STRANGERS 
FROM NAZARETH. — A WONDERFUL SIGHT.— 
A VISIT TO THE INN. 


ASA OF BETHLEHEM AND HIS 
HOUSEHOLD. 

CHAPTER FIRST. 

HE short December afternoon was more 
than half spent when Rachel, the busy 
housewife and mother, paused beside the 
lattice, and cast an anxious glance toward the 
westering sun. The sight which met her eyes 
gave a coveted promise, and, with a mingled sigh 
of contentment and pleasure, she leaned against 
the casement, and looked long and lovingly upon 
the beautiful landscape spread out before her. 

Slender and fair, her dark hair brightened here 
and there by points of golden light, Rachel was 
a winsome woman to look upon. To the adoring 
eyes of the young lad seated upon the floor, 
dividing his attention between his sleeping baby 
brother and an open parchment upon his knee, no 
mother in all the world was so young and sweet. 

Turning, she met his glance, and with an answer- 
ing smile said, — 

“Judah, my son, there is good promise for the 
morrow ; the clouds are blushing already, and by 
sunset time the heavens will be red. Your uncle 




12 


Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


Jacob will journey with fair weather. I am glad 
he comes at a time when Bethlehem is so pleasant 
to look upon,” she continued, turning again towards 
the open casement; “ the country never was more 
beautiful.” 

“And oh, mother,” exclaimed Judah, eagerly, 
as he arose and stood beside her, “ the town is so 
full of people, every house is crowded ; even old 
Simeon and Sarah have opened their doors, and 
I saw seven children playing there this morning; 
and at the inn, Michael told me, there was but one 
room left, and there are many people yet to come, 
he said. Why do so many come to Bethlehem all 
at once, mother ? ” 

Rachel looked lovingly into the eager, upturned 
face of her son, as she answered, — 

“The Emperor Csesar Augustus has decreed that 
a list be made of the names of all the people and 
what they possess, — flocks, herds, houses, and lands, 
— in order that he may lay a tax upon them. 
To do this he must know where the people live. 
He cannot send a man over the country to find 
each household, and write down the names of the 
men, women, and children, — it would take months, 
nay, years of time. So our governor, Herod, has 
ordered all the country people to go to their ‘own 
city,’ the home of their ancestors, and give their 
names. Bethlehem is the home of David, to whose 
family we belong,” she added proudly. “ It is also 
the ‘ own city ’ of all who have come up to be 


Asa's Household. 


i3 


enrolled and taxed, and that is the reason the town 
is so full of people.” 

“ But, mother, will not this tax be hard for them 
to pay? Some of them look very poor.” 

“ The Roman yoke was never an easy one to 
bear, Judah, and it grows not lighter or less hated 
with the years,” answered Rachel, turning to greet 
her husband, who at that moment entered the 
room. 

“ Bring thy mantle, Rachel, and walk with me 
to the orchard of the fig and olive trees,” said Asa, 
patting the curly head of his boy as he stooped to 
look at the open parchment “The trees are 
doing remarkably well, while the almond and 
peach buds are beginning to show color. There 
are a few flowers in the fields, not many ; the nights 
are still too cold for many blossoms.” 

Rachel hesitated, and glanced at the sleeping 
Benjamin. Asa followed her glance, and knowing 
what was in her heart said, — 

“Come, Rachel, Judah will care for Benjamin, 
and the walk will do thee good.” 

“ It is near time for the babe to waken from his 
slumber, and Judah has sat beside him all the 
day,” she answered, still hesitating. 

“ Oh, do go, mother, I will watch over Benja- 
min,” said Judah, eagerly ; “ you know you do love 
the grass and flowers so, and the orchards are fine 
now. The olive leaves are silver and yellow and 
green, and the peach buds show little dots of pink. 


14 


Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


There is going to be a grand going-down of the 
sun to-night, mother.” 

Rachel kissed the lad fondly as she replied, 
“ Verily, above all the mothers in Israel hath God 
blessed me, in giving me thee for a son, Judah; ” 
and turning, she left the room. 

The walk to the orchards was a most enjoyable 
one, and after some time spent in examining the 
young trees, they strolled slowly to the highest 
point of the ridge, for Rachel was an enthusiastic 
lover of nature. The green and silent valley, 
nestled so peacefully among the wooded hills, with 
the gray waters of the Dead Sea shining through a 
cleft to the eastward, was ever a delight to her. 
At the foot of the twin hills, upon whose heights 
they stood, with the village of Bethlehem stretched 
out behind them, lay rich and fertile fields, and the 
hillside below them was covered with vineyards 
and olive orchards similar to their own. 

After some time spent in silent enjoyment of 
the scene, they turned to depart, and Rachel noted 
with surprise two travellers wearily climbing the 
hillside. 

“Thou did’st not see them because thine eyes 
were straying afar from home,” was Asa’s smiling 
answer to her exclamation. “ Mine eyes have been 
upon them since first they left the valley and 
began the steep ascent. They paused not beside 
the well of David. Rest and shelter will be grate- 
ful to them.” 


The Strangers from Nazareth. 


15 


“ Truly, their journey has been a long one, and 
they are consumed with weariness,” said Rachel, 
compassionately, as she watched them. “ Saw’st 
thou the woman’s face?” she continued eagerly, 
as the travellers appeared near the summit of the 
hill, and were for a moment in full view. “ She 
is young, and as beautiful as the dawning of the 
morning.” 

“ Nay, I did not gaze upon her face,” answered 
Asa, carelessly ; “ but return with me to the orchard 
for an instant of time, Rachel, then we will go to 
Judah and Benjamin.” 

When Asa and Rachel reached the inn on their 
homeward way, they found the travellers before the 
gate, their weariness for the moment overshadowed 
by a great disappointment. They had come so 
late every room in the inn was full, and not only 
that, but the house was so crowded, there was not 
even a place of shelter for them, except the stables 
where the cattle were. 

Rachel’s tender heart was touched by their dis- 
tress, and, laying her hand upon Asa’s arm, she 
whispered, — 

“ Give to the strangers, O my husband, the 
welcome and shelter of thine house.” 

“Not so,” he answered quickly. “Thou art a 
foolish woman, Rachel ; hast thou forgotten that 
thy brother Jacob, with his wife and little ones, 
cometh with the morrow, and where hast thou a 
place for strangers? ” 


1 6 


Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“The little room where Judah sleep', could be 
made comfortable,” she answered pleadingly; but 
Asa only frowned, and continued on his homeward 
way. Rachel walked soberly beside him, but her 
heart remained with the weary strangers beside the 
gate. 

The following day, about the time of the simple 
mid-day meal, Obed, a distant kinsman of Asa, 
and one of the keepers of the .flocks at Migdal 
Eder, the sheep of which were used for the Tem- 
ple sacrifices, entered, and, pausing upon the 
threshold, asked abruptly, “ Hast thou heard the 
good tidings of great joy ? Christ, the Saviour of 
the world, was born last night in Bethlehem ! ” 

Rachel half rose from her seat, her delicate face 
flushing and paling with emotion ; while Asa, after 
a faint start of surprise, said coldly, “ Explain thy- 
self! ” 

“ Yesterday, when the day was drawing to its 
close,” began Obed, declining, with a motion of 
his head, a proffered seat, “two travellers, Joseph, 
a carpenter from Nazareth, with Mary, his wife, 
arrived at the inn too late to get shelter other than 
that of the stables. As there was no person at 
hand to offer hospitality, they went among the 
cattle.” ' 

Rachel, distressed, glanced at her husband, but 
he would not meet her eyes. 

“ As thou knowest,” continued Obed, after a 


The Birth of the Saviour . 


i7 


short pause, “ we, the keepers of the flock, have 
had much trouble of late with robbers. We have 
joined to us other shepherds, yet even now the 
robber is more to be dreaded than the wild beasts. 
About the third watch of the night, being over- 
come with weariness, I threw myself upon the 
ground for a moment’s rest, leaving the shepherds 
to look after the sheep. Although warmly wrapped 
in my great mantle, it was too chill to sleep, and 
I lay with closed eyes meditating upon the wrongs 
of Israel. Suddenly I heard a rustle among the 
flock, a huddling together as though in fear. 
Bounding to my feet, I found the frightened sheep 
and shepherds close beside me. A tender light 
suffused the heavens and shone round about us; 
and while we looked and wondered, the shining 
grew and grew, until the radiance was greater than 
the light of day, it was like to the glory that dwells 
with God in heaven. Great fear fell upon us, 
as we stood dazzled, amazed, and enfolded by that 
wonderful light. Suddenly an angel, his raiment 
like to the radiance of the sun, stood before us 
and spake, saying : ‘ Be not afraid ; for, behold, I 
bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall 
be to all people. For unto you is born this day 
in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the 
Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye 
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 
lying in a manger.’ When he had finished speak- 
ing, he was joined by a choir of angels, — a choir so 


2 


1 8 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


great, they were like the stars in multitude. Softly 
they began to sing, their words of praise growing 
in fulness and power, until the melody filled all 
space, and reached from earth to heaven. 

“ ‘ Glory to God in the highest, 

And on earth peace among men in 
whom he is well pleased.’ ” 

“ Oh, the sweetness of it! the love in it!” 
whispered Rachel, with shining eyes. 

“ Then the angels went away, the light quivered 
and died out, we were alone. We looked each 
into the face of the other, then with one accord 
set out for Bethlehem, leaving the flocks to take 
care of themselves.” 

“ I wish I could tell thee about that walk,” con- 
tinued Obed, turning again toward Rachel. “ We 
quickly climbed the terraced heights. Joy gave to 
our feet wings, but our lips were dumb, for the 
night was holy. The air still pulsed with the echo 
of the angels’ song. The shadows of the whisper- 
ing leaves fluttered and trembled on the ground 
beneath our tread. God spake to us through 
every quivering vine and tree. He had been so 
near us when the angels sang, he was near us 
still. When we reached the inn, and in the stable 
saw Joseph, Mary, and the Holy Babe lying in the 
manger, just as the angels said, our lips found 
utterance in praise and thanksgiving to God for 
the unspeakable gift of His son.” 


Jesus the Messiah. 


19 


Asa was the first to speak : — 

“ But think ’st thou, Obed, that the Messiah, the 
promised King of the Jews, cometh by the way 
of the manger? Nay, verily, that is past belief. 
What saith the prophet other than that he sitteth 
upon the throne of David ? The throne of David 
lieth not in the stable, Obed.” 

“He is the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel,” 
returned Obed, with conviction ; and bowing to 
Rachel, he left the house. 

“ Asa,” said Rachel, tremulously, " the blessing ' 
of the Most High would have descended like the 
dew of the morning upon the dwelling that gave 
shelter to the Holy Child.” 

“ Ay,” answered Asa, absently, “ great honor 
had been ours, if he prove to be the Messiah ; but 
I doubt it, I doubt it,” he added vehemently. 

Rachel sat lost in thought. The blessing of 
which she had spoken was a spiritual one. Asa’s 
thought was of temporal things. 




























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A PERSIAN CITY AT MIDNIGHT. — THE JOURNEY 
OF THE WISE MEN.— THE BABE TAKEN TO 


THE TEMPLE. 


CHAPTER SECOND. 


T was after midnight. One by one the 
lights of the great city had disappeared. 
The stately temples and palaces were 
silent. The earth, wrapped in its mantle of 
shadows, was fast asleep. But the sky was wide 
awake. It looked to the lonely watcher in the 
tower like a great dome behind which burned 
countless lamps, such a soft radiance flowed from 
and enfolded it. It seemed to speak to him, 
though in a language he could not understand. 
It thrilled him, it baffled him, yet it filled him with 
expectation. 

He was a good man, a learned man, one of the 
Magi. He looked down upon the far-famed city 
lying so quietly at his feet. How beautiful it 
was, and yet how sinful ! Oh, what need there was 
of a God, not such gods as his nation the Persians 
worshipped, — his lips curled with scorn as he 
thought of them, — but a God who could forgive sin. 
He thought again of what learned Rabbis long ago 
had taught. “Out of Judea,” they said, “shall 
come a Messiah who shall forgive men their sins, 
and he shall gain dominion over the world. And 



24 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


when he is born, a star will appear, blazing even at 
noon-day with undiminished lustre.” “You, my 
Sons,” said the venerable Seer Zoroaster, “will per- 
ceive its rising before any other nation. As soon 
as you see the star, follow it whithersoever it leads 
you, and adore the mysterious child, offering your 
gifts to him with the profoundest humility. He is 
the Almighty Word which created the heavens .” 1 
But that was hundreds of years ago, and through 
the ages men had watched and waited, and men 
were watching still. Would it ever come? Hope 
was fast giving place to despair. He raised his 
head and looked toward the heavens. He stared 
bewildered. What was taking place? The soft radi- 
ance of the great dome was in motion. Swiftly and 
silently from every quarter of the heavens it came, 
gathering around a small central point. It over- 
lapped ; it piled itself into a great cone ; it 
stretched downward, until it seemed to reach the 
earth ; it quivered and brightened, and burst into 
a dazzling light. Then out over the silent city 
rang a cry, The star ! the star ! and the Wise Man 
fell upon his knees and hid his face. 

The morning broke clear and cool, and long 
before the city was astir the Magi had begun 
preparation for their journey. They were eager 
to be upon the way. That the way would be long 


1 Memoir of Mrs Grant, missionary to the Nestorians. 


The Circumcision of Jesus . 


25 


and perilous, leading them over mountains and 
through the trackless desert, they well knew; but 
they were not afraid. The God of the Hebrews 
would direct their steps and keep them from all 
harm. 

Taking the precious things of their country, 
gold, frankincense, in half-translucent drops, like 
“ angel’s tears changed into perfume,” and the 
sweet-smelling gum myrrh, a kingly gift, they 
started. The afternoon was giving way to the 
short Eastern twilight as they left the city. They 
proceeded swiftly for a little distance, then halted 
and turned their faces toward Judea. Silently, yet 
expectantly, they waited. The shadows fell and 
deepened round them. A belated bird on its 
homeward way flew past them. One by one the 
stars appeared, and the moon arose, flooding the 
plain with silver light and revealing the earnest 
faces of the waiting Magi. Suddenly the glowing 
star, His star, appeared. Joyfully they hailed it, 
and proceeded on their way. 

“ I have been sitting with Mary of Nazareth and 
the Holy Babe,” remarked Rachel, one afternoon, 
as she made preparation for the evening meal. 
“ He was eight days old yesterday, and received 
circumcision and his name, Jesus.” 

“ How does the baby Jesus look, mother? ” 
inquired Judah, who entered just in time to hear 
her remark. “ Is he as pretty as our Benjamin? ” 


26 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


“ He is like all young babies,” replied Rachel. 
“ There is a sweetness, a — I can hardly tell what 
it is about him, but something that is rather un- 
usual,” she answered, somewhat absently. 

Asa looked at his wife inquiringly, as he said, 
“Thou hast something on thy heart, Rachel; is it 
not so? ” 

“ When Jacob and Ruth returned to their home 
at Nain,” she answered hesitatingly, “I made the 
guest-chamber ready — ” 

“ Ah ! I see,” broke in Asa, good-naturedly, 
“ thy guest-chamber is empty, and thou would’st 
have it filled. Have thy wish, Rachel,” he added, 
after a moment’s thought, “ it can do no harm. 
In the morning I will make known to Joseph thy 
desire, and add a welcome,” he said kindly. 

Rachel turned toward her husband, her sweet 
face all aglow as she exclaimed, “ Truly thou hast 
read the innermost desire of mine heart, and thou 
makest my cup of blessings to run over.” 

The next day Joseph and Mary, with the infant 
Jesus, were received into Asa’s house as honored 
guests. 

When Jesus was five weeks old, Joseph and 
Mary made ready to go up to Jerusalem to wor- 
ship at the Temple, and give their child to God, as 
was the custom. Although the distance from 
Bethlehem to Jerusalem is but six miles, a good 
two hours’ walk, it was decided to spend the night 
in the city, and return the following day. 

“ I think I will go up to Jerusalem with Mary,” 


The Journey to Jerusalem. 


2 7 


said Rachel to her husband, “ and I ’ll take Judah, 
unless thou say me nay. He is ten years old, and 
thoughtful beyond his years. It will be good for 
him to see the Temple, and worship there.” 

The “ Nay” was not spoken, and Judah’s delight 
knew no bounds when he learned that he was to 
accompany his mother to the holy city. When 
they were actually upon the road, with Bethlehem 
in the distance, he was like a bird upon the wing, 
darting hither and thither, now before the party, 
now behind them, on this side of the road, then 
on that, his keen eyes peering among the tall way- 
side grasses ; and few were the early flowers that 
were able to hide from him. He quickly gathered 
a small bunch for each member of the party, keep- 
ing two snow-white blossoms for the baby sleeping 
so sweetly in Mary’s arms. 

At length, somewhat weary with his running, he 
returned to Rachel, and, as he walked beside her, 
he asked, — 

“What are Joseph and Mary going to do with 
the baby at the Temple, mother?” 

“ Give him to God and redeem him, Judah.” 

“ Tell me about it, mother, for I do not under- 
stand.” 

“ Long years ago, when our people Israel were 
in bondage to the Egyptians, and God told Pha- 
raoh to let them go, and he would not, — thou 
rememberest the story, Judah, — God slew all the 
first-born of the Egyptians, both of man and beast. 


28 Asa of Befbleloem and his Household. 


Then God told Moses that all the first-born of 
Israel were to be given to him, and set apart for 
his service in the tabernacle, that we, his people, 
might never forget what he had done for us, in 
bringing our fathers out of the land of bondage. 
The giving of the first-born son is an offering of 
gratitude to God, Judah.” 

“Will Jesus have to stay in the Temple all the 
time, mother?” 

“ Nay ; for afterwards God told Moses that instead 
of taking all the first-born sons among the children 
of Israel for his priests, he would take the tribe of 
Levi ; and while all the first-born must be given to 
Him, they could be redeemed, that is, bought back 
again.” 

“ Was I taken to the Temple and given to God, 
mother?” asked Judah, after a moment’s thought. 

“ Ay, my son, we gave thee to God and re- 
deemed thee. Never forget for a moment that 
thou belongest to God as well as to thy parents, 
Judah.” 

“And Benjamin, mother; was he too taken to 
the Temple?” 

“Nay, thou art the first-born son, Judah, and in 
giving thee, we gave all. But look ! there is 
Jerusalem.” 

Once within the gates of the city, Judah was 
well-nigh speechless with astonishment and delight. 
The wonderful palaces, the fine houses, and, above 
all, the Temple, were a revelation to him. He had 


The Service at the Temple. 


29 


never, though he had often mused upon it, imag- 
ined anything so beautiful. And beautiful the 
Temple was beyond the telling! Built of the 
whitest of marble and glittering with gold, it sat 
like a jewelled crown upon the brow of Mount 
Moriah. Its massive walls, its graceful porticoes 
upheld by slender columns, its rich hangings, the 
golden altar, the candlesticks and dishes, all over- 
laid with pure gold, filled his boyish heart with 
admiration and awe unspeakable. And above all, 
God Himself dwelt in the Holy of holies ! 

But now all was ready, it was time for the ser- 
vice to begin. Standing close beside his mother, he 
watched with beating heart the formal giving up of 
Jesus to the Lord. He tried hard to understand the 
prayers of the priest. One he could not. He heard 
the words “ law ” and “ redemption,” but just what 
was meant he did not know. The other prayer, giv- 
ing thanks for the gift of a first-born son — that he 
could understand. He tried hard to swallow the big 
lump which filled his throat, as he saw the redemp- 
tion-money counted out and paid. It was all so 
solemn he could hardly endure it. Jesus had been 
given up to God and received back from Him. 
Judah was so glad that it was over ; but when Rachel 
whispered, “ Listen to the music of the great organ , 1 

1 Magrephah, an instrument having pipes, and according to 
tradition, able to give forth one hundred different tones, while 
so great was its volume of sound that it was heard to the 
remotest corners of the vast Temple buildings. 


30 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


Judah, that means the incense is being kindled on 
the Golden Altar,” the lump in his throat became 
unmanageable, and instead of looking at the cloud 
of incense rising toward God from off the altar, he 
hid his face in the folds of his mother’s gown. 

One day, some time after the return from Jeru- 
salem, Asa, coming unexpectedly upon Judah, 
found him intently studying the face of the sleep- 
ing Jesus. Laying his hand lightly upon the 
lad’s shoulder, he asked, laughingly, — 

“What art thou trying to find, Judah? Or art 
thou dreaming?” 

Startled, Judah looked up into his father’s face, 
and replied, hesitatingly, — 

“ I was trying to see the Messiah, father.” 

“ The Messiah ! ” exclaimed Asa, almost angrily. 
“ Who hath filled thy head with idle fancies such 
as these? ” 

“ Obed told me the angel said he was the Mes- 
siah, father ; and when we were in the Temple, an 
old man they called Simeon came up to us and 
took Jesus out of Mary’s arms, and began to praise 
God for letting him see the Messiah, the Saviour 
of the world. He said now he was ready to die. 
An old woman, too, father, a prophetess, knew 
him. How could they know anything about Jesus, 
unless an angel told them something?” 

“There is a deal of vain conjecture and making 
much of little,” replied Asa, shortly ; “ but bring 


Prophesies of the Messiah. 


3i 


thy grandfather’s priceless gift, Judah, the roll of 
Moses’ writings and the Prophets. Now read 
here,” he said, unrolling the book of Numbers. 

“‘There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a 
sceptre shall rise out of Israel.’ A sceptre, Ju- 
dah, and thou knowest a sceptre rests only in the 
hands of a king. Now unroll the writings of 
Jeremiah and read here. ‘Behold the days come, 
saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a 
righteous Branch, and he shall reign as a king, 
and deal wisely and shall execute judgment and 
justice in the land.’ The prophet Isaiah tells 
about him also. Now what thinkest thou, will a 
king sit upon the throne of David, or a babe born 
in a manger? ” 

Judah did not know how to answer his father, 
and said nothing; but deep in his childish heart, he 
believed with his mother and kinsman Obed that 
Jesus was the Messiah, the king of the Jews. 



III. 


3 


ARRIVAL OF THE WISE MEN AT JERUSALEM.— 
THEIR RECEPTION AT THE PALACE. — THEY 
FIND JESUS AT BETHLEHEM. 


CHAPTER THIRD. 


HE night was slowly giving way to dawn. 
Gray and cold, it still hung like a veil over 
the villas and gardens outside the walls 
of Jerusalem. A little group of travellers, show- 
ing, even in the dim light, marks of a long and 
toilsome journey, approached the city, and halted 
beside one of its closed and massive gates. 

High in the Temple-tower, his appointed place, 
a priest anxiously scanned the heavens. The first 
faint breath of the waking day began to rustle the 
leaves upon the trees, and set the birds singing. 
A streak of silver light, quickly followed by a rosy 
blush, appeared in the East, and the waiting watch- 
man seized his silver trumpet and sent out upon 
the air a long and musical blast. This he repeated 
twice. Below, in the Temple the sacrificial lamb 
had been made ready, and was laid upon the altar. 
The city awoke to prayer, the gates were opened, 
and lo ! the day was begun. 

Once within the city walls, the travellers pro- 
ceeded slowly, as strangers are wont to do, not 
knowing exactly whither to direct their steps. They 
sought the Temple. High upon the mount, stately 



3 6 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


and beautiful it stood. They had seen and recog- 
nized it at once, but which of the many narrow 
streets would lead them to the ascending Temple 
road, they did not know. Stopping before one of 
the numerous little shops that lined the way, to 
inquire, they found themselves in a place where 
food was cooked and sold, a Jewish eating-house. 
Early as was the hour, two men, Romans, were 
already partaking of their morning meal. The 
appetizing odor of the food awoke the strangers 
to the consciousness of their own needs, hunger 
having been forgotten in their eager haste to reach 
the Temple. Now they would fain obtain refresh- 
ment as well as needed direction, for they were 
faint with the fasting and travel of the night. Af- 
ter pointing out the way, the pleasant-faced Hebrew 
quickly made ready and set before them a delicately 
broiled fresh fish, fried locusts, and a small loaf of 
bread. 

“Art thou come up to Jerusalem to worship at 
the temple, Rabbi ? ” he inquired respectfully, turn- 
ing toward the elder of the little group, “ or has the 
fame of our merchants drawn thee hither? Ver- 
ily,” he added, noting for the first time the evi- 
dences and stain of travel, “ thy journey hath been 
long and wearisome ! ” 

“ Thou speakest truly,” was the reply. “ Many 
are the leagues that lie between thy city and our 
homes. Over lofty mountains and the trackless 
desert have we come ; but these have counted less 


The Coming of the Magi. 


37 


than nothing,” he added hastily, “ for we are come 
to Jerusalem to worship him that is born King of 
the Jews. Canst thou tell us where he may be 
found? ” 

“King of the Jews!” exclaimed the Hebrew, 
“ Nay verily, thou art mistaken, Rabbi ; Herod hath 
no young son.” 

“But thy nation — are they not looking for the 
coming of a Messiah, a King ? ” 

“Yea, truly, God Himself hath so promised 
Israel ; but the time hath been long, and still he 
cometh not,” returned the Hebrew, gloomily. 

“ The ways of thy God are not as man’s ways, 
and His waitings are long,” continued the Wise 
Man, reverently. “ But his promise he hath 
redeemed, the Messiah is come ! Hearken,” he 
continued, as the Hebrew was about to speak, 
“ The promise of thy God to send a king to the 
Jewish nation was made known to our prophets, 
and foretold by them long years ago. It was also 
made known that at the time of his coming a star 
of exceeding beauty and brilliancy would appear 
in the heavens to proclaim his birth. Many weeks 
ago this star appeared. From the far East we 
have followed it, for we would worship Him, the 
Messiah. It hath led us to Jerusalem. Again we 
ask thee and thy people, where is He that is born 
King of the Jews?” 

The Roman was the first to speak. 

“ Knowest thou aught of Herod, the governor 
and king?” he asked, abruptly. 


38 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


“ Nay; for, as thou knowest, we are strangers in 
Jerusalem.” 

The Roman continued : — 

“ I am not a Jew, and can therefore speak 
plainly to thee, and with less danger than our 
friend,” indicating the Hebrew with his hand. 
“ Herod is an unscrupulous and cruel man. He is 
an Idumaean, and a usurper of the throne of David. 
He feareth neither God nor devil. He hath 
caused the streets of Jerusalem to run with the 
blood of great and good men. His wife, his son, 
his mother-in-law, his uncle, forty of the nobles of 
Jerusalem, and scores of others hath he slain. He 
hath spies everywhere. No man’s life is his own. 
To-day he walketh the streets, and is seen of his 
friends; to-morrow he disappeareth, and cometh 
not again. Herod loveth the throne of David. 
What thinkest thou he will answer to thy question, 

* Where is He that is born King of the Jews? ’ ” 

The Wise Men remained silent, but in their 
hearts they trusted God. 

There was great excitement in the palace at 
Jerusalem. The rumor that learned men from 
the East were in the city inquiring for the new- 
born king of the Jews, had spread rapidly through 
the capital, and reached Herod at the palace. 
Filled with rage not entirely unmixed with fear, it 
did not take him long to decide upon a course of 
action. He would find and kill the infant “ king,” 


Herod and the IVise Men . 


39 


but he would do it secretly. Calling the Chief 
Priests and scribes together, he demanded of them 
where the Messiah was to be born. And they 
answered him, “ In Bethlehem of Judea. For 
thus it is written by the prophet, ‘ And thou Beth- 
lehem in the land of Juda, art not the least among 
the princes of Judah; for out of thee shall come a 
Governor that shall rule my people Israel/ ” 

Late in the after part of the day, a messenger 
quietly left the palace. As he passed a fellow- 
servant in the great court, he whispered, — 

“ I am sent out to find the illustrious strangers 
and bring them to the palace secretly, — mark 
thee, Amos, secretly ! Not all the gold of Caesar 
would tempt me to stand in their sandals to- 
night ! ” 

But contrary to all expectation, when they were 
come, Herod received them courteously, and after 
questioning them about the time the star appeared, 
told them he believed the child to be at Bethle- 
hem, and added, — 

“ When ye have seen him, return, I pray thee, 
and tell me where he may be found, that I also 
may offer him homage.” 

Hastily the Wise Men left Jerusalem; and when 
beyond the city, lo ! the star again appeared, and 
went before them, and when they reached Bethle- 
hem it stood over the house of Asa, where the 
young child Jesus was. 

Entering, the Wise Men found Mary and her 


40 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


babe ; and, when they beheld him, they worshipped 
him, and opening their caskets, presented him 
gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Afterward, when they were alone, they spake 
together of God’s great mercy and goodness to 
them; of his care and protection during their long 
and dangerous journey; of the fulfilment of his 
promises ; and with hearts overflowing with love 
and gratitude, they worshipped Him. On the 
morrow, they would return to Jerusalem and tell 
Herod where the young child was, that he too 
might come and worship him, for they never for a 
moment thought of doubting Herod’s word or his 
purpose. In the silent watches of the night, how- 
ever, God appeared to them in a dream, and 
warned them not to return to Herod. Unques- 
tioningly they obeyed. When the morning came, 
and they set out upon their homeward journey, it 
was by another road. They went not by the way 
of Jerusalem. 

The next night, about the third watch of the 
night, Joseph awoke Asa and Rachel, craving 
speech with them. Fearing some ill had befallen 
the young child, they dressed hastily and came 
out to him. 

“The babe is well,” he replied, in answer to 
their question; “but I have had a dream that 
troubles me greatly. As. I lay sleeping, an angel 
of the Lord stood beside me, and said, * Arise, 
Joseph, and take the young child and his mother, 


God’s Warning by a Dream. 


4i 


and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I 
bring thee word ; for Herod will seek the young 
child to destroy him.’ I arose at once, and came 
to tell thee. Mary is making ready as rapidly 
as she can. We will not wait for the morning, 
but leave Bethlehem at once. I know not what 
to say to thee, Asa, my brother,” he continued, 
with evident emotion. “ Thou gavest us rest and 
shelter in the time of our extremity, when there 
was none to help. The measure of thy hospital- 
ity hath been pressed down and running over. 
May the blessing of the God of our father Abra- 
ham rest upon thee, and upon thy house.” 

Rachel parted from Mary with a long and ten- 
der embrace, then, standing beside her husband, 
watched them until the shadows of the trees hid 
them from her sight. 




IV. 


MURDER OF BENJAMIN. — DEATH AND BURIAL 
OF THE KING. — LETTER FROM NAIN. 


CHAPTER FOURTH. 


ULL of impatience, Herod awaited the 
return of the Wise Men to Jerusalem. 
When he learned that they had departed 
unto their own country by another way, and had 
not given him the tidings that he sought, his anger 
was very great. Sending for the captain of his 
guard, he ordered all the children, in the village 
of Bethlehem, two years old and under, to be 
immediately put to death, fully persuaded that 
Jesus would be among the slain. 

It was two o’clock in the afternoon. Rachel 
sat near the open door, with the sleeping Benja- 
min upon her knee. For several days he had been 
ailing. Restless and feverish, she had watched 
beside him the entire night. Judah, who had 
cared for his little brother while she was busy 
with her household duties, she had now sent out 
of doors. Once and again she softly touched the 
baby cheek with gentle fingers, as anxiously she 
bent over him. “ Truly, the fever hath almost 
disappeared, and he sleeps well,” she whispered 
at last ; and for the time relieved from her anxiety, 




4 6 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


she closed her eyes, and soon fell into a light 
slumber. 

Together the gentle breeze and sunshine looked 
in upon them. The shadows upon the grass out- 
side the door grew longer and longer, and still 
they slept. Suddenly, Rachel was aroused by 
the furious coming of flying feet, and Judah, with 
staring eyes and ashen face, burst in upon them. 
Snatching Benjamin from his mother’s knees, with 
the words “ Save him ! ” he started for a partly 
concealed underground room, with an entrance at 
the rear of the house. He had taken but a step 
or two when a soldier sprang through the open 
door, and with the words, “Ha! ha! dog of a 
Hebrew ! thinkest thou to outwit a soldier, and 
he a Roman? Take that, and that, for thy impu- 
dence ; ” and with the words, he thrust his sword 
twice through the body of baby Benjamin. 

Together, without a sound, the children sank upon 
the floor, Benjamin still clasped tightly in Judah’s 
arms. Believing the babe dead, the soldier turned 
upon Rachel a scowling face, and strode from 
the room, his bloody sword leaving here and there 
a warm, crimson drop upon the floor. It was all 
so sudden, so quickly over, that Rachel stood as 
though turned to stone. Then with a cry so full 
of agony and despair, it chilled the breath of those 
who heard, she dropped upon her knees beside 
her dead. Unloosing Benjamin from Judah’s 
clasp, she lifted him in her arms, and looked into 


The Slaying of Benjamin . 


4 7 


his face. A faint, sweet smile parted the still 
warm lips, and the sleepy eyes were half unclosed. 
Passionately kissing the little face, she gathered 
him against her breast, and swaying her body 
backward and forward, wailed, “ Oh, my baby ! 
my baby ! my little Benjamin.” 

Kissing him again and again, she laid him 
gently down ; and turning to Judah, she placed 
her hand over his heart, when lo ! amazed, she felt 
it beat, though faintly. Stanching the flowing 
blood as well as she could, she turned toward 
the boys, drawn to the open door by the appear- 
ance of the soldier and her cry, and recognizing 
one of Judah’s play-fellows, called out, — 

“ Run for the physician, Ezra. Judah still hath 
life; run with all thy might! run! run!” and as 
the lad turned and sped away, she again bent over 
her unconscious son. 

Haply the physician was near at hand, and 
reached the house without loss of time. He found 
the wound a very serious one. The sword, after 
passing through the body of little Benjamin, had 
penetrated the top of the right lung. There was a 
possibility, with careful nursing, of recovery; but 
he warned Rachel not to build too much upon the 
hope he held out to her. 

When everything possible had been done for the 
still unconscious lad, the physician, with clenched 
hands and flashing eyes, told Rachel, as gently as 
he could, of Herod’s order, and the brutal work of 


48 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


the Roman soldiers. “ Truly, God hath this day 
forgotten the mothers in Bethlehem,” said Rachel 
bitterly, amid her tears, “ else He compassioneth 
them not.” 

When at last Judah opened his eyes, they rested 
for a moment languidly upon Rachel, who was 
bending over him ; then attempting to rise, he 
whispered eagerly, “ Benjamin, mother, is — ” 

“It is well with Benjamin, Judah,” interrupted 
Rachel, tenderly laying him back upon the pillow. 

Judah looked earnestly into his mother’s tear- 
stained face, and understood. Closing his eyes 
for a moment, he whispered, — 

“ Is it going to be well with me, too, mother? ” 
Rachel’s forced composure almost deserted her. 
Dropping her head beside his on the pillow, she 
put her arms around him, and murmured, passion- 
ately, — 

“Judah, my first-born, thou canst not, must not 
die ; for thy mother thou must live ! Shall her 
day be turned to darkness, and her heart become 
a broken thing before life’s noon? Hush thee, 
hush thee, Judah, my son,” she whispered sooth- 
ingly, as a sob escaped the lad. “ Thy mother is 
a wicked woman to distress thee so. Surely, the 
God of our father Abraham will not desert us 
utterly ! ” And with tender words and caresses, 
she calmed and soothed him, and sat beside him 
until he fell asleep. And the day gave place to 
night. Oh, the mourning, the anguish, the weep- 


The Death of Herod. 


49 


mg in those desolate homes of Bethlehem ! the 
mothers who could not be comforted ! 

“ Herod the Great, the illustrious king of Judea, 
is dead, and lieth in state in the Palace of Palms, 
at Jericho.” 

Such were the tidings brought by the royal 
messenger to Jerusalem. From the palace the 
news spread through the city like the dust of the 
desert blown before the wind. 

On the street, in the market-places, in the shops, 
even in the outer courts of the Temple, little groups 
of excited men gathered, and repeated the news. 
Mothers clasped their babes in their arms, and, 
relieved from an horrible fear, broke into songs of 
thanksgiving. Dead ! the usurper, the tyrant ! 
and the people of every class and condition thanked 
God and took courage. 

Obed was at the Temple when he heard the news. 
The time of the Passover was near at hand, and 
he had gone up to Jerusalem to see about the 
sheep and lambs needed for the sacrifices. As 
soon as his mission was accomplished, he set out 
with all haste for Bethlehem, stopping in the lower 
city only long enough to buy a dainty basket of 
foreign sweets for the patient and suffering Judah. 

Reaching Asa’s house, he entered, and meeting 
Rachel, pale and sad-eyed, exclaimed abruptly, — 

“ Rachel, Herod, thine enemy, is dead ! ” 

“ Dead ! ’’ she echoed, not at first comprehending 
4 


50 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


Obed’s speech ; then the color crept into her pale 
cheeks, the light flashed from her eyes, quenched 
a moment later by bitter tears, as she exclaimed, — 

“ Dead ! Oh, had death but claimed him sooner, 
claimed him before he snatched my baby from my 
arms, my aching, empty arms ! His death matters 
little now, Obed.” 

“ Nay, Rachel, my sister, his death matters much 
to Israel,” returned Obed, looking at her compas- 
sionately. “ Many things have happened while 
thou hast been with Judah in the house that thou 
knowest not of. When Herod was near to death, 
he had himself removed to the palace at Jericho. 
When it was known at Jerusalem that he was suf- 
fering from an incurable disease, and not likely to 
return, the golden eagle, — hated emblem of Roman 
power, — that he had caused to be hung over the 
great gate of the Temple, was pulled down. About 
forty persons were taken by the royal guard, and 
carried to Jericho, where they, with our much 
loved Rabbis, Matthias and Judas, were burned 
alive, Herod pronouncing the death-sentence from 
his bed. Five days ago, he ordered his son An- 
tipater slain. The knowledge that his own death 
would bring joy to Israel maddened him. He 
swore that the nation should mourn, and mourn 
deeply, when he died. When his end drew near, 
he summoned to Jericho many of the noblest of 
Israel; from all parts of the land they came at 
his bidding. And when they were come, he con- 


The Death of Herod . 


5i 


fined them in the Hippodrome, that when he died 
they might be slain. He intrusted the carrying 
out of his order to the hands of his sister.” 

“ She did not, oh, Obed, she did not do it!” ex- 
claimed Rachel. 

“ Nay, she was afraid ; the people were set free, 
and there is great rejoicing at Jerusalem. But 
how is my small kinsman Judah?” he asked, at 
the same time presenting the basket of sweets. 

“ He is doing well, the physician says, but his 
wound is painful, and the healing slow. In his 
fitful sleep, he ever liveth over again that dreadful 
day. He seeth a happy babe, playing beside his 
father’s door, killed by the ruthless soldiers. He 
heareth the mother’s cry of agony. He runneth 
to save his baby brother, Benjamin, and failing, 
awaketh with cry and sobs that wring my heart. 

“ Thou art kindness itself, Obed,” she added, 
holding up the dainty basket; “ Judah will be well 
pleased.” 

“ Hast thou heard aught of Joseph and Mary 
and the babe ? ” inquired Obed. 

“Nay,” returned Rachel, sadly. “Asa believeth 
that all our sorrow cometh because of the babe 
Jesus, and he hath commanded that we speak no 
more in his hearing the name of Mary’s child.” 

And Herod was buried with great splendor in 
the Castle of Herodium, which is close by Beth- 
lehem. And his son Archelaus sat upon his 
father’s throne. 


52 


Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


Nain. 

Peace be with thee, my sister, and may the blessing of 
the Almighty rest upon thee and upon thy house. 

The hand of the Most High hath been laid in heaviness 
upon thee, and thy sorrow is like a river, deep and swift 
and full, but it shall not overflow, — thou hast His promise. 
Lo ! even now thine enemy hath been overthrown, and lieth 
in the dust. Jehovah is thy Shepherd, sister of my heart ; 
He will lead thee in green meadows, and beside still waters. 
Canst thou not trust, and say, It is well with Benjamin ? 
It is well with me? 

Hast thou heard aught from Joseph and Mary? 

As thou knowest, my neighbor Naomi cometh from 
the village of Nazareth, and her mother liveth there still. 
Naomi hath been there on a visit. Joseph and Mary, 
with the babe Jesus, have returned from Egypt, and are 
there. When they left Egypt, they set out for Bethlehem ; 
but hearing on the way that Archelaus, Herod’s son, sat 
upon the throne, they were afraid, and turned aside, and 
came and settled in Nazareth. Joseph is a carpenter, 
and already hath a good business. Naomi saw and had 
speech with them. Mary’s gentle heart yearneth over 
the mothers in Bethlehem, and her eyes run over with 
tears. For thee especially she grieveth, my sister, and 
for Judah. Fear not for him, for he shall be like a tree 
planted by the rivers of water, his leaf shall not wither. 

There is sickness among the homes in Nain, but Jacob 
and the children are well. 

And now the Lord bless and comfort thee and thy 
husband, with blessing and comfort such as he only can 
bestow. Ruth. 








BIRTH OF ESTHER. — GOSSIP ABOUT JESUS OF 
NAZARETH. — THE PASSOVER FEAST. — MEET- 
ING WITH JOSEPH AND MARY AT JERUSALEM. 
— JESUS LOST. 


CHAPTER FIFTH. 


HE next few years passed quietly, and even 
happily, for the little family at Bethlehem. 
After many months of pain and waiting, 
Judah’s lung healed, and he became quite welh 
though not so strong as formerly. His days of 
suffering and weariness were made easier to bear 
by the coming of a baby sister, doubly welcome to 
the home made desolate by the tragic death of 
little Benjamin. When Asa first brought her to 
Judah, and laid her beside him upon his cot, he 
looked at her earnestly, and asked, — 

“ What are you going to call her, father?” 

“ What name, of all the names you know, do you 
think will suit her best?” asked Asa, smilingly. 

“ I would like to call her Benjamin,” he an- 
swered, wistfully; “but that’s a boy’s name, and 
she ’s a girl. We can call her Esther, father,” he 
exclaimed brightly, after a moment’s thought. 

“Why Esther, my son?” asked Asa, looking at 
the lad tenderly. 

“ Because Esther was beautiful and good, and 
such a blessing to her people. The baby will be 
beautiful, like mother, won’t she, father?” 




56 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ In face, yes, probably, and we will hope in 
heart also.” 

“I know,” said Judah, eagerly, “when the heart 
is beautiful, it shines out through the face in some 
way ; mother told me that, when we were talking 
about Queen Esther. I love that story, father,” he 
went on, with evident excitement. “ I am always 
so glad Esther was brave, and tried to save her 
people, though she might have to die for it, 
and that Haman was hanged on the very gallows 
he set up for Mordecai ! Shall we call her Esther, 
father? ” 

“ If the mother is willing, Esther shall she be 
called,” replied Asa, passing his hand softly over 
the young head resting so wearily upon the pillow. 

Rachel was much moved when Asa repeated to 
her his conversation with Judah. “ Dear patient 
Judah,” she exclaimed, as her eyes filled with tears, 
“he shall have his wish; ” and from that day the 
little one was called Esther, and enthroned as 
queen in the hearts of all the family. 

And so the years passed happily and quietly for 
the house of Asa. 

When Esther was about ten years old, strange 
and startling tales 1 about Jesus of Nazareth began 
to find their way to Bethlehem. Esther had heard 
over and over again the story of his birth, the visit 

1 These stories, with many others, were current in the 
early centuries. They are now known as the Apocryphal 
Gospels. 


Judah reaches Manhood. 


57 


of the Wise Men, the flight into Egypt, and the 
murder of the babes of Bethlehem. Many a night 
her pillow had been wet with tears, as she grieved 
over the fate of baby Benjamin, and rejoiced that 
Jesus had escaped cruel Herod’s grasp. She felt 
as though Jesus belonged in some way to her 
house, and every scrap of news she heard about 
him, she treasured in her heart, and brought home 
to tell her mother and her brother Judah. She 
often wondered at her father’s indifference, — nay, 
almost hatred of the name Jesus. She could 
not understand it, although she gave the subject 
much thought and many tears ; but from her mother 
and Judah, she received unbounded sympathy and 
interest. 

Judah, now twenty-one years of age, followed his 
father’s calling, and was the proud possessor of a 
thrifty young vineyard and olive orchards of his 
own. Gentle, yet manly, he had more than ful- 
filled the promise of his early youth, and was as 
noble a specimen of young manhood as could be 
found. 

Coming in one day for the noontime meal, his 
mother noticed a troubled look upon his face, and 
asked with affectionate interest, — 

“ Art thou ill, my son, or hast thou found some- 
thing amiss in the vineyard?” 

“Nay, mother, thy son and the vineyard are 
doing well,” he replied, with a bright smile ; “ but 
I have heard more of those strange stories con- 


58 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


cerning Jesus of Nazareth, and I confess it troubles 
me greatly. I cannot understand it ; I thought he 
would grow into such a different boy from what 
he has.” 

“ Oh, tell us ! do tell us the stories ! ” cried 
Esther, clapping her hands and dancing around 
the room. 

“ And what possible interest can Queen Esther 
have in knowing whether Jesus is a good or a bad 
boy,” said Judah, teasingly, trying to catch her as 
she flew about 

“ It makes a great difference, brother Judah; and 
the stories may not be true, you know,” she added 
soberly. 

“I have thought of that,” replied Judah, slowly, 
“and if they did not come directly from Nazareth, 
I would not believe them ; but — ” 

“ One of them we heard a little time ago is not 
true,” cried Esther, eagerly; “ Obed told me last 
night. You remember we heard that Joseph was 
called co Jerusalem to make a throne for the king. 
It was to be just so deep, and just so wide, and fit 
exactly the niche where it was to stand. Joseph 
took the measures and worked upon it two years ; 
and behold, when they put it in its place, it was a 
great deal too small. When the king saw it, he was 
very angry with Joseph, and Joseph was so afraid 
he could not eat any supper. When Jesus saw he 
was going to bed without anything to eat, he said, 
* Father, what troubleth thee?’ And Joseph told 


The King’s Throne. 


59 


him about the throne. Then Jesus said, ‘ Do not 
be cast down, but come and take hold of one side 
of the throne, and I will lay hold on the other side, 
and we will bring it to the required size.’ And 
they did so, and pulled it and pulled it until it was 
large enough, and fitted the place exactly, and not 
one of the carved figures was cracked, or anything 
hurt. 

“ I asked Obed if it could be true, and he said 
the next time he went up to Jerusalem, he would 
find out. Yesterday, after he got through at the 
Temple, he went to the palace, and asked the high 
steward, whom he knows, and he told Obed that 
there had not been a new throne brought to the 
palace for years and years, not since Herod the 
Great first became king. And Joseph did not 
make that one either; so you see, brother Judah, 
the other stories may not be any more true.” 

“ Verily, thou art a wise little maid, Queen 
Esther,” said Judah, with a pleased smile. “Per- 
haps the other things can be made plain in the 
same way.” 

“Joseph’s repute as a carpenter will be held in 
little esteem if this story find lodgment in men’s 
minds,” remarked Asa, as he helped himself to 
bread. 

“ Oh, father has begun to eat,” exclaimed Esther. 
“ Let us go to the table ; you can tell us the stories 
there, brother Judah.” 

“I was told,” began Judah, looking at Esther 





6o Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


with a smile, “that the other day, when Jesus was 
walking along the street, a boy running past him 
accidentally hit him on the shoulder and knocked 
him down. Jesus was very angry, and said to the 
boy, ‘ Thou shalt go no farther/ and instantly he fell 
down dead. The parents of the dead boy went to 
Joseph, sorrowing, and complained, saying, ‘ You 
are not fit to live with us in our city, having such 
a boy as that. Either teach him that he must bless, 
and not curse, or else depart hence with him, for 
he killeth our children/ Joseph called Jesus to 
him and said, ‘ Why doest thou such things to 
injure the people, so that they hate us and persecute 
us?’ And then Jesus, being angry, said that they 
who had accused him should suffer everlasting 
punishment, and immediately they became blind.” 

Esther’s face reflected her thought ; and when 
Judah paused, she exclaimed with flashing eyes 
and flaming cheeks, — 

“ Oh, how can people say such dreadful things 
about him ! how can they ! how can they ! I will 
not believe one word of all their stories ! ” 

“And when he was sent to school,” continued 
Judah, “ he showed the master, Zacchseus at once 
that he had no knowledge at all. Then Jesus took 
the master’s place, and began to teach Zacchaeus 
many things, the like of which he had never 
heard.” 

Esther smiled slightly at this, but her thoughts 
were evidently busy with something else. 


The Letter from Nain. 


6 1 


Presently, turning to her mother, she said 
e.agerly, — 

“ Mother, Aunt Ruth will know whether these 
things about Jesus are true or not; do write and 
ask her. Write to-day, mother.” 

“ Why go to all that trouble, so long as you do 
not believe what you hear?” said Judah, turning 
toward her, laughingly. 

“Because — because — a man can’t understand 
why,” exclaimed Esther, bursting into tears, and 
running from the room. 

The smile left Judah’s face, and he called after 
her, “ Nay, little sister, I would not wound thee 
for the world ; I did but tease thee. Come back, 
and we will write the letter at once.” 

Late in the afternoon, a messenger left Bethle- 
hem for Nain, carrying a letter addressed to Ruth, 
the wife of Jacob the scribe. 

Some two weeks later, Esther went to the vine- 
yard to find Judah, and catching sight of him at 
work among the vines ran toward him, her voice 
reaching him in advance of her flying feet. “ A 
letter, Judah ! Mother has a letter from Aunt 
Ruth! And she says it is n’t true, — the stories, 
I mean,” and almost breathless, Esther reached 
Judah’s side. “ She says Jesus is a noble lad, 
full of life and play, but always gentle and kind 
and courteous to everybody; and she says,” cried 
the child, eagerly, “ that he is always helping the 
weak, and that he will walk miles to carry some- 


62 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


thing good to eat to some old woman who is sick 
and has n’t much of anything; and the poor people 
love him, and bless him continually,” she added, 
with shining eyes. “ Aunt Ruth says she cannot 
see how such stories as we have heard, could be 
told of him ; they might easily be about a common 
boy, but he is not a common boy, and she does 
not understand it.” 

“ I do not understand it either,” said Judah, 
drawing a long breath of relief. “ I ought not to 
have believed it for a moment. The Anointed of 
the Lord could not be otherwise than good. Thou 
hast taught thy brother a lesson in trust, little 
sister.” 

“ Perhaps women believe easier than men,” 
replied Esther. “ Mother never doubts, but father 
— Judah, why does n’t father believe that Jesus is 
the Messiah?” she asked, with troubled face. 

“ Because he was born in a manger, and father 
thinks a king cometh not so,” replied Judah. 

“ I do not see what difference it makes where 
he was born,” said Esther, with fine scorn. “ If 
he is the right kind of a boy, and God wants him 
for a king, he might as well be born in a manger 
as in a palace.” 

“ Thou art a wise one, little sister, and — ” 

“ He is going up to Jerusalem to the feast of 
the Passover next month,” interrupted Esther. 
“ You can see him then, Judah, and you ’ll know 
for yourself. How I wish I were old enough to 


The Feast of the Passover. 


63 


go too ! But you will see him, and speak to him, 
and tell me about him when you come home, won’t 
you, brother Judah? ” 

Judah kissed the glowing, upturned face, with 
a wish in his heart that her faith and enthusiasm 
might never grow old. 

When the Paschal week was come, Asa, with 
Rachel and Judah, went up to Jerusalem. Eagerly 
Esther awaited the return of the family. As the 
law required personal attendance only upon the 
first and second days of the feast , 1 many people 
availed themselves of the opportunity thus given 
to return to their homes before the week was 
ended, and Esther hoped that her mother, at least, 
would not remain in Jerusalem during the entire 
feast. But it was not until the evening of the 
sixth day that the family returned to Bethlehem. 
Esther hardly waited until greetings had been 
given and received, before she began to question 
her mother. 

“ Sit down ! sit down ! little sister,” interposed 
Judah, “ and I will talk with thee until mother rids 
herself of her mantle, and the dust of the journey. 

“ As soon as we came near to Jerusalem, before 
we reached the city gates,” began Judah, as Esther 
seated herself beside him, “we looked continually 
among the crowd of people on the way to the 
Temple, hoping to find among them Joseph, Mary, 
and her son. For the first two days we noted the 

1 Edersheiin. 


64 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


faces of all we met, but neither saw nor gained 
tidings of them. On the third day, father learned 
that quite a company from Nazareth came up for 
the first two days of the feast, and had that morn- 
ing started upon their return journey. I felt 
greatly troubled, for I wanted to see Jesus for my- 
self, as well as for Queen Esther. But when I knew 
that they had returned to Nazareth, we looked for 
them no more. Yesterday, as we went down to 
the lower city to buy — ” 

“ To buy what, brother Judah? ” 

“ Never mind what just now, little sister,” re- 
turned Judah, smiling at her; “ that we were there 
is enough for my story. As we crossed the street 
and turned a corner, we found ourselves face to 
face with Joseph and Mary.” 

“ Was Jesus with them? ” asked Esther, quickly. 

“Nay,” replied Judah, shaking his head at her, 
“ but you must not break in upon my speech. 
Mother they knew at once,” he went on ; “ and 
after greeting her with affection, asked after the 
boy Judah, not recognizing the boy in the young 
man standing at mother’s side.” 

A ripple of laughter broke from Esther ; then she 
asked wistfully, — 

“Didn’t Jesus’ mother know anything about 
me?” 

“ Indeed she did, Queen Esther, she heard of 
you almost as soon as you were born. Then 
mother asked about Jesus. With an anxious look 


Jesus found in the Temple. 


65 


Mary replied that they were greatly troubled about 
him, for they knew not where he was. ‘ We came 
to Jerusalem with quite a company of neighbors 
and kinsfolk,’ she said, 4 for the first and second 
days of the Passover, expecting to return to Naz- 
areth when the appointed time was fulfilled. We 
did not see Jesus when we departed for home; but 
supposing that he was with some of our kinsfolk, 
we were not troubled. At the end of the day’s 
journey, however, we began to seek for him, and, 
to our alarm and astonishment, he was nowhere to 
be found. And when our friends began to inquire 
among themselves, no one could remember having 
seen him since we set out in the morning. With 
heavy hearts his father and I turned back toward 
Jerusalem, searching for him by the way, hoping 
to find him, yet fearing we might come upon his 
body, mangled and torn by wild beasts; but we 
found no trace of him. When we reached the 
city, we went among our friends and inquired for 
him, but no one has seen him. Now we are 
searching the streets.’ ” 

“ Then Judah,” said Rachel, who had returned 
and had seated herself near them, “ then Judah 
asked if they had looked for him at the Temple. 
They had not been there, and with new hope in 
her heart, Mary and the rest of us turned and went 
up together. And there we found him among 
the learned Rabbis, listening to them, and asking 
5 


66 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


questions that astonished all that heard him. We 
were amazed at his understanding. 

“ Finally his mother spoke to him and said, ‘ Son, 
why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold thy 
father and I have sought thee sorrowing.’ 

“ Geatly he answered, — 

“ * How is it that ye sought me ? wist ye not that 
I must be about my father’s business?’ But he 
with willing consent left the Temple and the Doc- 
tors, and went with Joseph and Mary to their 
home.” 

“ But Joseph is a carpenter. What did he mean, 
mother, when he said he must be about his 
father’s business? ” 

“ I do not know, Esther; we could none of us 
understand.” 

“ How did he look, mother,” inquired Esther, 
eagerly, dismissing the question about “ his father’s 
business,” of which she could make nothing. 

“ He impressed me as a manly boy, with a noble 
and dignified bearing, somewhat rare for one of his 
years. He is a very lovable boy, I am sure,” 
Rachel answered. 

“ Why did Jesus stay behind, mother, and make 
Joseph and Mary so much trouble? ” 

“ I do not know, Esther. He may have been so 
interested in what he was hearing and learning 
about God and His truth, he forgot the time set to 
return to Nazareth. That he would carelessly 


Jesus found in the Temple. 


67 


cause his mother — whom he dearly loves — to 
sorrow, I do not believe.” 

“ And he is the Messiah, mother, the king God 
promised to send to the Jews? ” 

“ I have never doubted it, Esther; I do not doubt 
it now.” 

And Esther was satisfied. 























A. D. 26. JUDAH AND OBED SEEK THE PROPHET 


IN THE WILDERNESS. 


CHAPTER SIXTH. 


HE year of 779 A. U. C. — as the Romans 
measured time — was drawing to a close. 
Many changes had taken place since Jesus, 
with Joseph and Mary, went up to Jerusalem for 
the Feast of the Passover. Now Herod’s two sons, 
Antipas and Philip, reigned over a part of their 
father’s divided kingdom, while Pontius Pilate gov- 
erned the province of Judea. Tiberius was em- 
peror of Rome, and his hatred of the Jews and 
their religion was intense. So long as Caesar 
Augustus sat upon the throne, although the Jews 
were compelled to do many things they did not 
wish to, no one had been allowed to interfere with 
their worship of Jehovah. Now everything was 
changed. The good and true High Priest who 
had been so long at the Temple had been sent 
away, and a man was in his place, who did not 
truly love and worship Jehovah. He seemed to 
care more about pleasing Pilate the governor than 
he did of pleasing God. His name was Caiaphas. 

Pilate, like the emperor, hated the Jews, and 
cared little whether they were governed justly or 
not. His officers, knowing this, robbed and ill- 




72 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


treated the people, even going so far as to put 
innocent men to death. So under the reign of 
Tiberius, things had gone from bad to worse, until 
it seemed as though the people must have help or 
die. 

Obed, who had been up to Jerusalem, was re- 
turning to Bethlehem. As he reached the foot of 
the hill and began to climb the terraced heights 
that lay between him and the town, the glowing 
sun, hanging dreamily just above the hill-tops, 
gently slipped down upon them, and resting there 
for an instant, set the western sky aflame with 
color, and sent long quivering shafts of golden 
light into the valley, touching, with new beauty, 
rock and shrub and tree. 

Ordinarily, Obed would have stopped to enjoy 
the beauty of the scene; but to-night, absorbed in 
thought, he gave it but a passing glance, as he 
hurriedly climbed the hillside. Reaching Asa’s 
house, he entered. Finding no one within, and 
hearing voices upon the house-top, he ascended 
the stairs and reached the roof unnoticed. The 
day had been unusually oppressive for the time of 
year, and the family had gone to the house-top 
that they might better enjoy the fresh breeze that 
had sprung up with the going-down of the sun. 
Obed stood for a moment without speaking, and 
looked round upon the little company. Asa sat 
somewhat apart from the rest, his elbows resting 
upon the tile railing in front of him, his chin 


Extortions at the Temple . 


73 


dropped into his hands, his whole attitude bespeak- 
ing great depression of spirit. The years have 
left their mark upon him. Even in the dim light, 
he looks old and worn, and his hair, so dark a little 
while ago, is now plentifully sprinkled with gray. 

Not so with Rachel. Time has touched her 
gently. Her eye is as bright, her sweet face as 
fresh and fair as of old. Near her sits Esther, who 
has grown from a child into a winsome woman. 
Like her mother, she is beautiful of face and heart. 
Ezra, Judah’s old playfellow, who at Rachel’s bitter 
cry ran for the physician on that never-to-be-for- 
gotten day when little Benjamin was slain, is seated 
beside her, telling a story to which all listen, save Asa. 

Judah was the first to see his kinsman, and his 
words of welcome aroused Asa, who turned and 
asked, — 

“ Hast thou come from Jerusalem, Obed?” 

Without waiting for an answer, he continued, — 

“ Ezra hath been telling of a transaction he 
witnessed at the Temple yesterday. From a distant 
village there came up to Jerusalem an old man 
with his wife, to worship at the Temple. Having 
little money, they selected for an offering unto the 
Lord a pair of pigeons. It is almost past belief, 
Obed, but verily, they were made to pay the price 
of a sheep for them ! All that they had, even unto 
the last farthing, went into the hands of the priests ; 
and when they started upon their homeward jour- 
ney, it was without so much as a crust of bread 


74 


Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


with which to break their fast upon the way, and 
they were old and feeble ! Verily, God hath for- 
gotten Israel, and no more regardeth His promise 
to His people,” he said bitterly, “ and the courts of 
His temple are become like to a den of thieves.” 

“ Mother hath a letter from Aunt Ruth,” re- 
marked Esther, breaking the silence that followed 
her father’s words. “ As thou knowest, Obed, 
many times since the death of Uncle Jacob and 
her two eldest sons, hath she been urged to make 
Bethlehem her home; but her heart clingeth to 
Nain, where her husband lived and died. Three 
times hath the scourge of fever swept over the 
city, and Levi, her only remaining child, hath again 
been near to death. He is still far from well.” 

“Said she aught about Jesus of Nazareth?” 
asked Obed, quickly. 

“ He liveth at Nazareth and worketh as a car- 
penter,” replied Esther, softly. 

“Verily, Obed, what sayest thou now?” broke 
in Asa angrily; “ thinkest thou still that thy Jesus 
is the Messiah? What hast thou to say of a king 
who remaineth beside his work-bench while his 
people perish, and there is none other to help? 
Nay, I tell thee again that Jesus of Nazareth is 
not the king of the Jews!” 

“ Nay, father — ” 

“ Asa hath said truly,” broke in Ezra. “ Jesus 
is now thirty years of age, and hath offered no 
help to the people. He is a carpenter, not a 
king. The Messiah is yet to come.” 


The Prophet from the Wilderness . 


75 


“There is great excitement in and around Jeru- 
salem,” began Obed, quietly. “ Out of the wilder- 
ness of Judea hath come a man whom nobody 
knoweth. He weareth a prophet’s dress of camel’s 
hair, held in by a leathern girdle. For meat he 
eateth locusts and wild honey. He calleth upon 
all men to repent, ‘ for,’ he saith, ‘ the kingdom 
of heaven is at hand.’ ” 

“ What sayest thou, Obed, the kingdom of 
heaven at hand?” asked Asa, excitedly. 

“ Ay, the kingdom of heaven,” replied Obed. 

“ Then the king must be near. Oh, Obed, think- 
est thou that Jesus is the king?” asked Esther, 
earnestly. 

“The wilderness of Judea is but a few hours 
distant from Jerusalem,” continued Obed, rising, 
but not answering Esther’s question, “ and when 
the dawn appeareth I shall be upon the way. I 
go to seek the prophet from the wilderness, that 
haply mine ears may hearken to the message he 
hath brought to suffering Israel.” 

“ I also will go with thee,” said Judah, warmly, as 
he arose to help his mother down the stairs ; and 
Obed and Ezra took their departure, for the hour 
was late. 

“ Repent ye, repent ye, for the kingdom of 
heaven is at hand,” rang out the stentorian tones 
of the preacher. “ I am the voice of one crying in 
the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, 


76 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


make his paths straight. Every valley shall be 
filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought 
low ; and the crooked shall become straight, and 
the rough ways smooth ; and all flesh shall see 
the salvation of God. And even now is the axe 
also laid unto the root of the trees; every tree 
therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is 
hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed bap- 
tize you with water; but there cometh he that 
is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I 
am not worthy to unloose; he shall baptize you 
with the Holy Ghost and with fire; whose fan is 
in his hand, thoroughly to cleanse his threshing- 
floor, and to gather up the wheat into his garner; 
but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable 
fire. Therefore repent ye, and bring forth fruits 
worthy of repentance, for the kingdom of heaven 
is at hand.” 

“ There dawneth a brighter day for Israel, and 
a great hope hath taken possession of mine heart, 
Obed,” remarked Judah, as the two were nearing 
Bethlehem on their return from the wilderness. 
“Verily, .all Jerusalem, with the people of Judea 
and about the Jordan, flocked to hear the 
preacher, and many there were who bowed the 
knee and humbled themselves before the Lord in 
all sincerity.” 

“ Ay, and how deep his seeing ! How quickly 
he read the hearts of the curious and insincere, 


The Prophet from the Wilderness. 


77 


who sought him for novelty’s sake alone, and how 
bitter his words of denunciation ! But here com- 
eth Esther to meet us. Is she not beautiful, 
Obed ? To me she seemeth like unto the early 
morning, so fair and pure is. she, one of God’s 
choicest blessings.” 

“ Come in, come in, Obed,” entreated Esther, 
when they reached the house, and Obed, was 
about to pass on. “Come in, and help Judah to 
answer father’s questions; he hath many to ask 
of thee. Poor father ! ” she added sadly, “ he 
seemeth to carry some great trouble on his heart, 
and the days of thine and Judah’s absence have 
been long days to him.” 

Thus entreated, Obed entered ; and as soon as 
the dust of travel had been washed away, the 
family sat down together, ready and eager to learn 
of the God-given message, sent to them by the 
mouth of His prophet John. 

“ And first of all,” said Asa, a slight frown con- 
tracting his brow, “who is this preacher; is he 
Jesus of Nazareth?” 

“ Nay,” replied Obed, “ he is not Jesus of Naza- 
reth. He cometh from out the wilderness of 
Judea, and his name is John.” 

“ Ah,” said Asa, with a sigh of relief. “ Now 
tell us of the message he hath brought.” 

“ He calleth upon all men to repent and be bap- 
tized, for without repentance, none, nay not one 
man, can be found righteous enough to enter the 
kingdom of heaven.” 


78 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Knowest thou what thou sayest?” cried Asa, 
with flashing eyes and lowering brow. “ Callest 
thou upon a Jew to repent in order to enter heaven? 
Repentance is for the Gentiles. Are we not the 
children of Abraham, and therefore sure of the 
kingdom? Nay, Judah, my son, thou mistakest 
the prophet’s meaning.” 

“Judah hath said right,” responded Obed, quietly. 
“ When the people answered him, ‘ Are we not 
Abraham’s children?’ he replied, ‘God is able of 
these stones to raise up children unto Abraham; ’ 
showing that God needeth not, and saveth not even 
His chosen people, unless they repent and turn to 
Him, forsaking their sin.” 

“ Strange teaching indeed ! ” said Asa, uneasily. 

“ The people were astonished,” continued Obed, 
“ and some one asked him, saying, ‘ What shall we 
do?’ John answered, ‘Let no man do robbery, 
neither accuse any falsely. Be kind to one an- 
other. He that hath two coats, let him give one to 
him that hath none, and he that hath meat, let him 
do likewise.’ Then he was asked ‘ if he were the 
Christ,’ continued Obed. “‘Nay,’ he answered, 
‘ but there cometh one after me mightier than I, 
the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to 
stoop down and unloose.’ ” 

“He speaketh of Jesus of Nazareth!” cried 
Esther, excitedly. “ He is, he must be the Mes- 
siah that cometh to save Israel ! ” 

Asa bent upon his daughter a searching glance, 


The Baptism of John. 


79 


then dropping his chin upon his breast, sat lost in 
thought. 

“ Wast thou baptized of John? ” asked Esther, 
softly, as she arose and came to Judah’s side. 

“ Ay, we both received baptism,” he replied, 
looking with a smile into her earnest face. 

“Why is it, Judah, that father feels so bitterly 
toward Jesus?” she continued in a low voice. 
“Verily, as Israel’s king and Saviour, he desireth 
him not” 

“ Thou hast asked of me a question I cannot an- 
swer, little sister,” replied Judah, his face reflecting 
the soberness of hers. “ He hath trouble we know 
not of, I feel sure. Hast thou said aught to our 
mother? ” 

“ I asked her about it one day,” answered Esther, 
hesitatingly ; “she said naught, but looked at me 
with eyes that were bright with tears.” 




VII. 


* 


JESUS PROCLAIMED THE MESSIAH. — ON THE WAY 
TO JERUSALEM. — THE EXCITEMENT AT THE 
TEMPLE. — ESTHER’S VISIT TO HER KINSFOLK 
AT NAIN. — THE READING OF ESTHER’S LET- 
TER. — BY A SAMARITAN WELL-SIDE. 


CHAPTER SEVENTH. 


HERE is no room for doubt,” remarked 
Qbed, abruptly, coming to the door, 
where Asa stood talking to Rachel. 
“Jesus of Nazareth hath been proclaimed the 
Messiah.” 

“ By whom? ” asked Asa, shortly. 

“ God himself hath so spoken,” returned Obed, 
reverently. 

“What sayest thou, Obed?” cried Esther, run- 
ning to the door from an inner room. 

“Jesus is the Messiah! He hath been to the 
Jordan and there received baptism of John.” 

Asa threw back his head and laughed loudly. 

“Verily, Obed, thou art beside thyself. The 
Messiah needeth no baptism from the hand of 
man ! ” 

“Jesus went to the Jordan,” continued Obed, 
undisturbed by Asa’s mirth, “ to be baptized of 
John, but John would have hindered him, and said, 
* Comest thou to me? I have need to be bap- 
tized of thee.’ But Jesus constrained him, saying, 
‘ Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil 
all righteousness.’ Then he suffered him, and 
when it was done, lo, the heavens were unclosed, 




84 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


and God’s spirit descended as a dove, and rested 
upon Jesus, while a voice out of heaven declared, 

‘ This is my Son ; my beloved, in whom I am well 
pleased.’ ” 

“ Verily, Obed,” returned Asa, “ thou art asking 
much, when thou askest us to believe thy story.” 

“Nevertheless it is true. The account was given 
by one of John’s disciples. And John himself 
hath since borne witness that Jesus is indeed the 
Messiah, the Son of God.” 

“Doth he still remain beside the Jordan?” 
asked Rachel, eagerly. 

“ Nay, he hath gone into the wilderness, and hath 
not yet returned.” 

Later in the day Ezra came in to give Esther 
an account of the baptism and the voice from 
heaven. “ Not that I myself believe,” he observed ; 
“ but knowing that thou art interested in this Jesus 
of Nazareth, I fain would tell thee of it The priests 
and scribes at Jerusalem do not regard him as 
worthy of notice. It is only the poor and ignorant 
that run after him and believe his teaching.” 

“ Thou hast forgotten, Ezra,” said Esther, stand- 
ing erect and looking at him with sparkling eyes, 
“that Obed and Judah, mother and I, believe on 
him, and we do worship him,” she added softly. 

“ Nay, I knew not that thou — I mean — I — of 
course — there are some exceptions,” said Ezra, 
with evident confusion. “ A few families of birth 


“ My Kingdom is not of this World." 85 


and learning may believe him to be the Messiah, 
and Israel’s king, but thy father thinketh not 
so.” 

“ I cannot see,” began Asa, who, lost in his own 
thinking, had failed to hear what Ezra was saying, 
“ I cannot see what Jesus can do. Born in a man- 
ger, he is unknown and poor. A king needeth 
wealth, friends of power, an army. Where will he 
live? Thinkest thou that Herod will offer him a 
palace? Nay, verily, thou art beside thyself,” he 
said, looking at Esther. “ God hath promised 
Israel a king who shall subdue all nations. Think- 
est thou that alone, without friends of power and 
money, Jesus can do this?” 

“ Father,” said Esther, eagerly, “ may he not 
have come to reign asking over people’s hearts? ” 

“Nay, Esther, I will not listen to thine idle prat- 
tle;” and, covering his head, Asa started for the 
olive orchard, where Judah was still at work among 
the young trees. 

A few days before the Jews’ Passover, Obed 
went up to the Temple, and Rachel, needing a few 
articles, to be had only in the shops of the great 
city, decided to accompany him, and remain with 
friends until Asa, with Judah and Esther, came up 
to the Passover. At the last moment, however, 
Esther decided to go with her mother, leaving her 
father and brother to follow later on. 


86 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


Esther was expectantly looking forward to this 
Passover feast. The hope that Jesus, whom she 
believed to be the Messiah, the man of God, would 
be there, and speak to the assembled multitude, 
filled her heart with eager anticipation. She 
longed to see him, to learn of him, to worship him. 
Therefore it was with a happy heart that she set 
out for Jerusalem. This happiness was for the 
moment over-shadowed, when Ezra unexpectedly 
joined them upon the road. A feeling of restraint 
and discord had of late grown up between herself 
and Judah’s old playfellow. That he had for her 
no sympathy in her hope and belief in Jesus as 
the Messiah, she well knew; that he hated Jesus, 
she had heard from others. His unbelief and scof- 
fing played upon her loyal heart, until all its 
strings were set quivering. She accepted his pres- 
ence, however, as she accepted other disagreeable 
things ; made the best of it, and was soon in cheer- 
ful converse with the rest. 

“ Hast thou thy Temple-tribute, Obed, or dost 
thou go to the money-changers in the Temple 
court? ” inquired Ezra, as they went. 

“ Nay, the money-changers ask so much for 
changing coin into Temple money, to them I never 
go,” replied Obed. 

Ezra nodded his head knowingly, while his eyes 
wandered over field and hill-side. The day was 
beautiful, and Nature’s tender greens and silver 
grays were a constant delight to look upon. 


The Traffic in the Temple . 


37 


“ Verily,” he remarked, at length, “ a clumsy 
fellow hath mended the road and whitened the 
sepulchres. He hath only half performed his 
work. There lieth one near to that far-spreading 
olive-tree, that he hath failed to cover. Seest 
thou the long dark streak that showeth upon its 
side? It is hardly whitened enough to prevent 
pollution to those who pass this way, going up to 
the Feast.” 

“ Hast thou heard that Jesus doth not regard 
these forms and ordinances, as do our priests?” 
asked Obed. 

“ Ay, I have heard what the fellow hath said,” 
replied Ezra; “but Moses gave to us our laws. 
We do well to follow him, we can have no higher 
authority.” 

Obed was about to answer when he noticed a 
look of distress upon Esther’s face. Reading her 
thought, he skilfully changed the subject ; and 
they spake no more of Jesus on the way up to 
Jerusalem. 

Asa with his family went up to the Temple on 
the first day of the Passover. They paused for a 
moment upon the Temple-porch, while Asa, his 
heart filled with bitter thoughts, watched the 
busy traders as they hurried about, intent upon 
selling oxen, sheep, and doves, while from the 
tables of the money-changers the din of voices, as 
men wrangled and bargained, filled his ears. As 
he looked, his heart swelled with indignation. 


88 


Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


Absorbed as he was, he failed to notice the 
stranger who entered the porch, and stood for a 
moment by his side. Esther saw him at once. 
The quiet dignity of his manner, the blended 
strength and sweetness of his face, attracted her 
strangely. For a moment he stood watching the 
disgraceful scene ; then picking up several small 
cords that lay scattered about, he made of them a 
scourge, and when it was finished, he drove the 
oxen and. sheep out of the Temple-court. Amazed, 
the great throng, a moment before so restless and 
noisy, stood hushed and breathless. Every eye 
was fixed upon the stranger. Calmly he lifted the 
money from the tables, and poured it into the bags 
in which it had been brought to the court. Over- 
turning the tables, he spoke to the men standing 
beside the caged doves, and said, — 

“ Take these things hence ; make not my Father’s 
house an house of merchandise.” 

As he spake, his words fell upon Rachel’s ear 
with a curiously familiar sound. For a moment 
she was bewildered, but only for a moment. Then 
as in a dream she seemed to stand, as she had 
stood eighteen years before, with Joseph and 
Mary in the streets of Jerusalem. She listened to 
Mary’s words, “ Along the way and among our 
friends have we sought for him, but in vain.” 
Together they turn and go up to the Temple. 
Again she sees the Doctors and learned Rabbis, 
their grave faces expressing the astonishment they 


The Overthrowing of the Money-Changers. 89 


feel at the understanding of Jesus, who, in their 
midst, is answering and asking questions. She 
hears his mother’s gentle remonstrance, and the 
answer, “Wist ye not that I must be about my 
Father’s business?” She half smiles as she re- 
members her perplexity, her inability to make 
anything out of it. Now, looking across the eigh- 
teen years, she sees and understands. Jesus, the 
Son of God ! He was about his Father’s business 
then, He is about it now. And when Esther, her 
hand upon her mother’s arm, whispers : “ Knowest 
thou the stranger’s name?” she raises her happy 
tearful eyes to her daughter’s face, and answers 
with calm assurance, “He is Jesus of Nazareth, 
the Son of God ! ” 

Meanwhile, Asa stood as though bereft of the 
power of motion. The boldness of the act filled 
him with admiration. For the first time a feeling 
of sympathy with and respect for Jesus, found 
lodgment in his heart, and he waited with anxiety 
to see what the Temple officials would do. 

When they came forward, they did not lay hold 
on him, although Asa could see that they were 
excited and angry, but they asked him, — 

“ What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that 
thou doest these things?” 

And Jesus answered, — 

“ Destroy this temple, and in three days I will 
raise it up.” 

But the rulers did not understand him, and they 


9 o 


Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


hated him because of his rebuke ; for in their hearts 
they knew they had polluted God’s Temple, and 
made His house like unto a den of robbers. 

During the week of the Passover, Jesus taught 
and healed many sick, in and about Jerusalem; 
and when the week was ended and Asa returned 
to Bethlehem, he went pondering many things. 

“ Esther maketh a long visit at Nain,” remarked 
Obed, as he followed the family of Asa to the 
house-top. “ Bethlehem lacketh much when she 
is not here.” 

“ It is her first visit to Aunt Ruth in many years, 
and her welcome hath been royal,” replied Judah. 

“ Thou rememberest Naomi, the neighbor of 
Aunt Ruth, Obed? She hath done much for 
Esther’s pleasure. Some three weeks ago, they 
went to the village of Nazareth to visit Naomi’s 
mother, who liveth there still. On the Sabbath, in 
the synagogue they — but hast thou not her letter, 
mother, and wilt thou not read what she hath 
written? ” 

Rachel’s answer was a smile; but she drew the 
parchment from the folds of her gown, and finding 
the place read in a clear voice, — 

“ After the Sabbath lamp was lighted 1 and 
the evening meal had been partaken of, we still 

1 On the sixth day of the week, a little before sunset, a 
lamp was lighted in each house, typical of joy at the coming 
of the Sabbath. 


At the Synagogue in Nazareth. 


9i 


reclined about the table, for we spake of Jesus. 
Naomi and her mother believe not in him as the 
Messiah. ‘ Is he not the son of Joseph, the car- 
penter, and do not his sisters live with us in Naz- 
areth? ’ said the mother. ‘ Nay, little one, there be 
many Christs, but beware, for verily they be false 
Christs ! ’ 

“ All that night sleep came not nigh me, but, 
affrighted, hovered afar off, for doubt and distrust 
sat beside my pillow. 1 Thinkest thou waiting 
Israel knoweth not her King upon the day when 
he cometh? ’ they seemed to ask. ‘ Few there be 
that receive Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ. Art 
thou not thyself mistaken?’ And then there 
arose before mine eyes Aunt Ruth, and Levi, and 
father, ay, and many others, good and pure of 
heart, who believe him not; and I was sore dis- 
tressed. And when the Sabbath morning was 
come, it was with heavy heart I made ready for 
the synagogue. When at last we were in our 
appointed seats, and the time was come, behold, 
Jesus ascended to the place, and began the service. 
Thou knowest the opening prayers. The first 
thrilled me strangely; but when he began, with 
voice confident and sure, the well-known words: 
‘With great love hast Thou loved us, O Lord our 
God, and with much overflowing pity hast Thou 
pitied us, our Father and our King. Blessed be the 
Lord, Who in love chose His people Israel,’ mine 
unbelief fell from me as though it had been a gar- 


92 


Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


ment. Mine eyes overflowed with tears. I seemed 
to see the great Jehovah, no more as a dreaded 
Judge, but as a loving father, who out of love for 
blinded Israel hath sent to us his Son, that we 
might learn of Him, and mistake not any more. 
And at the sight, my soul laid itself in the dust at 
the feet of Jehovah, and did worship Him. I 
heard no more of the service, until the minister 
approached the Ark and took from it the writing 
of the prophet Isaiah, and handed it to Jesus. 
Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written, 
‘The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because 
the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings 
unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the 
broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, 
and the opening of the prison to them that are 
bound ; to proclaim the acceptable year of the 
Lord.’ 

“ When he had finished, he handed the roll to the 
minister, and sat down and began to speak, saying, 

4 This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.’ I 
cannot tell thee now, mother, of the gracious words ' 
— they are treasured safely in my heart — that 
fell from his lips, to which the people listened 
eagerly. But when he opened to us our hearts, 
so filled with sin and unbelief, they would not 
listen, but rose up in wrath and thrust him from 
the synagogue. Surrounding him, and pressing 
him, they made their way to the cliff, intending 
there to hurl him down ; but when they were come 


Jesus at Jacob's Well. 


93 


to the place, he, turning, looked upon them. 
Awed by the majesty of his glance, they fell back, 
and he, passing through their midst unharmed, 
went out from Nazareth.” 

“ Esther hath a tender heart,” remarked Asa, 
breaking the silence that followed the reading of 
the letter. 

“ She hath a seeing and believing heart, which is 
far better,” returned Obed, gravely. 

And while he spake, the short Eastern twilight 
faded, and with the dusk came fitful gusts of wind, 
that rudely shook leaves and vine. Pausing, as 
though to listen for a moment, Obed continued: 

“John of Jerusalem, Jesus’ friend and disciple, 
saith that Nicodemus, of the Sanhedrin, hath been 
to Jesus, though he came by night, and hath 
learned of him. Ay, and he hath declared him- 
self unto the Samaritans.” 

“ To the Samaritans ! ” cried Asa, in astonish- 
ment. “No Jew hath dealings with a Samaritan, 
and thou sayest Jesus hath offered unto them this 
life whereof thou speakest?” 

“Ay, it came to pass on this wise. Jesus with 
a few of his disciples were passing through Sama- 
ria, on their way to Galilee. It was about the 
sixth hour when they reached Jacob’s well, and 
Jesus, being faint and weary with the heat and 
travel of the day, sat down by the well to rest, 
while his disciples went into the city of Sychar to 
buy food. While they were gone, a woman cometh 


94 dsa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


to fill her water-jar, and Jesus saith unto her, 
‘ Give me to drink/ She was astonished, for she 
saw that he was a Jew, and answered, ‘ How is it 
that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which 
am a Samaritan woman?’ Then Jesus saith unto 
her, ‘ If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it 
is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldst 
have asked of him, and he would have given thee 
living water.’ But the woman, understanding him 
not, saith, 4 Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, 
and the well is deep ; from whence then hast thou 
that living water? Art thou greater than our 
father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank 
thereof himself and his sons, and his cattle?’ 
Jesus answered her, ‘ Every one that drinketh of 
this water shall thirst again ; but whosoever drink- 
eth of the water that I shall give him shall never 
thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall 
become in him a well of water springing up unto 
eternal life.’ Then the woman cried, 4 Sir, give 
me this water, thatf I thirst not, neither come all 
the way hither to draw.’ ‘ Go call thy husband, 
and come hither,’ saith Jesus. ‘ I have no hus- 
band,’ replied the woman. ‘Thou hast said truly,’ 
answered Jesus. ‘Sir, I perceive that thou art a 
prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this moun- 
tain,’ — thou knowest, father, that Mount Gerizim 
is near at hand, — ‘and ye say, that in Jerusalem 
is the place where men ought to worship.’ Then 
Jesus saith, ‘Woman, believe me., the hour cometh, 


Jesus and the Samaritan Woman . 


95 


when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, 
shall ye worship the Father. Ye worship that 
which ye know not; we worship that which we 
know; for salvation is from the Jews. But the 
hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers 
shall worship the Father in spirit and truth : for 
such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. 
God is a spirit, and they that worship him must 
worship in spirit and truth.’ Then the woman 
saith, ‘When the Messiah is come, he will declare 
unto us all things.’ ‘ I that speak unto thee am 
he,’ replied Jesus, calmly. 

“ Then the woman, waiting not to draw water 
from the well, laid down upon the ground her 
empty water-jar, and hurriedly returned to Sychar. 
The disciples, who were now come with bread, 
besought him, saying, ‘ Rabbi, eat.’ But he would 
not. ‘ I have meat to eat that ye know not of,’ he 
replied. Astonished and perplexed, they asked 
each the other, ‘ Can a Samaritan have given him 
aught to eat?’ Jesus, seeing their perplexity, 
explained to them, ‘ My meat is to do the will of 
Him that sent me, and to accomplish His work.’ 
And the woman quickly returned to Jesus, and 
with her came many people, who besought him to 
stay with them and teach them. So he abode two 
days in Sychar; and many believe on him and 
bear this testimony, ‘ We have heard for ourselves, 
and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the 
world.’ ” 


9 6 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


“ Ah,” said Asa, drawing a long breath, “ verily, 
this so-called king of the Jews is also a king of the 
Gentiles. God hath not so ordained. His promise 
is alone to Israel.” 

“But, father,” said Judah, eagerly, “Jesus hath 
first come unto his people Israel ; but if his own re- 
ceive him not, shall he not go unto the Gentiles?” 

“ Nay,” replied Asa, shortly. “ What God hath 
promised to Israel, belongeth to Israel alone.” 

Softly, her clear sweet voice growing in fulness 
as she proceeded, Rachel began to chant, — 

“ Show me thy ways, O Lord ; 

Teach me thy paths. 

Guide me in thy truth, and teach me 

For thou art the God of my salvation : 

On thee do I wait all the day. 

Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving- 
kindnesses ; 

For they hqve been ever of old. 

Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgres- 
sions ; 

According to thy lovingkindnesses remember thou me, 

For thy goodness’ sake, O Lord.” 

And when her voice died away, there was no 
sound to be heard, save the murmuring of the 
fitful wind among the olive-trees. 






VIII. 





ESTHER’S RETURN.— THE ACCOUNT OF THE SER- 
VICES AT THE SYNAGOGUE OF NAZARETH.— 
THE SICK FOLK OF CAPERNAUM. 


CHAPTER EIGHTH. 


HE evening after Esther’s return from 
Nain, many of the neighbors gathered 
with the family of Asa upon the house- 
top, eager to hear from Esther’s own lips the 
account of that Sabbath at Nazareth, when Jesus 
taught in the synagogue. Rachel had told over 
and over again what Esther had written about his 
reading of the Scriptures, his teaching, and his 
being thrust out of the synagogue by the angry 
Nazarenes. Wondering and interested, they longed 
to know more about him, and Esther was more 
than glad to tell them all she knew. So when 
Obed and Ezra, who met at the foot of the stairs, 
reached the house-top, they found quite a company 
of people listening to her story, and asking her 
questions. 

After greetings had been given and received, 
Obed joined in the conversation and asked, — 

“ Thou believest on him, now, Esther; thou hast 
no more of doubt ? ” 

“ Ay,” she answered eagerly ; and Obed saw, 
even in the dim light, the sparkle of her eyes as 




ioo Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


she looked up at him. “ He opened unto me my 
heart, Obed, and when I looked therein and saw 
its sin and selfishness, I was amazed, for I had 
ever considered myself right toward God and man. 
‘ Have I not always obeyed the laws, and kept the 
ordinances given by Moses to our people Israel? ” 
I asked myself. ‘ Have I ever knowingly broken 
one of the commandments? * But as I looked and 
pondered, I came more and more to see how sinful 
my heart was, and that of myself I could not cleanse 
it, and a feeling of despair took possession of me ; 
my soul fainted within me. I saw that there could 
be no help for me unless it came through Jesus 
of Nazareth. Then I turned unto him, and though 
my lips were dumb, my spirit cried, ‘ Lord, save 
me from my sinful heart ! ’ ” 

“ And he ? ” asked Judah, breathlessly. 

“He heard my cry,” returned Esther, softly; 
“ and turning he looked upon me, and opening 
his lips he taught the people. His words were 
for all, and yet they were for me alone. He made 
clear unto me the love that the great Jehovah 
bears for His chosen people Israel, His hatred of 
sin, His desire that we come unto Him in love and 
confidence, that He may be unto us a father, ay, 
more than a father; and so He hath sent His son, 
His only begotten son, to tell us of the way and 
to help us that we faint not nor lose courage, for 
it will not be an easy matter to follow Jesus’ 
teachings.” 


The Teachings of Jesus. 


IOI 


“ How differeth Jesus’ teachings from Moses’? ” 
asked Asa, abruptly. 

Esther arose and went to her father’s side, as she 
answered eagerly, — 

“ Moses gave to us forms and laws which many 
times the people follow with lips and body only, 
while the heart stands afar off, and having gone 
through with the forms, they are satisfied. Jesus 
showed to us that to please God, everything we 
do, must be done from love alone; for if the heart 
is not filled with love for Him, we cannot please 
Him, and though we spend our days and nights 
in prayer, it will avail us nothing; He will not 
listen.” 

“ How can one be sure one loves Him as He 
desires,” asked Rachel, who sat beside her hus- 
band. 

“Jesus saith that when we truly love Him, we 
love all Israel; the weak and suffering we will 
seek out and relieve; the poor we will look after, 
and our enemy we will forgive. Every soul in 
the Father’s sight is of value beyond all price; not 
one doth He consider poor or mean.” 

“ Truly, this is a hard doctrine,” said Asa; “ I 
like it not.” 

“ Father, wilt thou not go and hear Jesus for 
thyself? asked Esther, eagerly. “ He will teach 
thee all things.- Do go, father ! ” 

“ The journey to Capernaum is long, and I am 
old and well stricken in years/’ answered Asa. 


102 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“Judah can go with thee, and I will look after 
the olive orchards and vineyards,” said Obed. 

But Asa would not promise. 

“ Knowest thou that Jesus hath left Nazareth, 
and now liveth at Capernaum?” asked Ezra. 

“Ay,” answered Obed, “John hath so said. 
He hath spoken of many things,” continued Obed. 
“After Jesus was thrust out of Nazareth he came 
to Capernaum, and on the Sabbath day he went 
up to the synagogue to worship, and to teach, as 
is his custom. And there went into the syna- 
gogue on that day a man possessed of an unclean 
spirit, and Jesus saw him,” — “ He ever seeth the 
troubled ones,” said Esther, softly, “ not one es- 
capes his notice,” — “ and his heart was filled with 
pity for the man, and he commanded the unclean 
spirit that it come out of him.” 

“ Heard the spirit his command?” asked Ezra, 
with a smile of unbelief. 

“ Ay, it not only heard, but, hearing, it 
obeyed, and the man was healed. And when the 
service was ended, Jesus went home with Simon 
Peter. They reached the house and entered, ex- 
pecting to find the Sabbath meal awaiting them. 
Instead, they found great trouble and anxiety. 
Simon’s wife’s mother had been suddenly seized 
with the burning fever. When they told Jesus, 
he, going to her bedside, rebuked the fever, so 
that it left her and she was made well. Then she 
arose from her bed, and made ready the Sabbath 
meal, and they did eat. 


The Healing of the Sick. 


103 


“ By sunset time these two cures were talked of 
throughout the city, and to the people whose 
loved ones were sick, the news came like the 
dawning of the morning. All who could do so, 
quickly brought their suffering ones to Peter’s 
door and laid them there, until all the space was 
filled, and then they laid them along the wayside. 
Ay, and such a company ! Men with misshapen, 
withered bodies ; men shaking with palsy ; women 
near unto death with the burning fever ; boys and 
men born blind ; men who were, from accident or 
disease, unable to walk, — there they lay, silent and 
suffering, their eyes fixed upon the door of Peter’s 
house. And Jesus, coming to the door, stood still 
and looked down into those hopeless pleading 
faces. And as he so stood, there crept up into 
his face what John ever calleth his ‘ God-like- 
ness.’ And when he opened his lips, he spake 
to bless and help, for he healed them, every one.” 

Rachel was weeping softly, but Asa sat silent 
and apparently unmoved. 

“ And thou still thinkest that Jesus will not sit 
upon the throne of David and rule the people?” 
said Ezra, after a moment’s pause. 

“Nay, I said not so,” returned Obed. “But 
that he hath come to heal the souls of Israel, I 
know full well.” 

“Judas Iscariot,” continued Ezra, “hath joined 
his disciples, and he saith that Jesus will sit upon 
David’s throne and judge the people, and that 


io4 Hsa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


his disciples will be given great honor in his 
kingdom.” 

“ He standeth not afar off,” said Rachel, ten- 
derly, “ but cometh close, and taketh upon himself 
the sorrows and the sicknesses of the people. 
Verily, none save the Son of God hath so great 
love for Israel.” 


IX 


ASA’S JOURNEY. — HIS QUESTIONING UPON THE 
WAY. 


CHAPTER NINTH. 


NE morning, some weeks after Esther’s 
return to Bethlehem, she arose early, as 
was her custom, and went out to help her 
mother prepare the morning meal. As she entered 
the room, she paused in surprise. Upon the table 
were the fragments of what had been a hastily 
prepared and hurriedly eaten meal. Rachel stood 
beside the casement, her hand clasping the lattice- 
work of the window, her head resting against her 
arm. There was an air of weariness and sorrow 
about the drooping of her head that touched 
Esther’s heart, and with an exclamation of alarm, 
she hastened to her mother’s side. At the sound 
of her daughter’s voice, Rachel raised her head; 
and though her eyes and cheeks still showed 
the traces of tears, her smile was bright as she 
answered, — 

“Nay, Esther, my child, it is well with me.” 

“But thy tears, mother — ” 

“Are tears of joy and thanksgiving, rather than 
tears of sorrow,” replied Rachel, calmly. “ But do 
thou come to the table and break thy fast, Esther, 
and I will tell thee of the happenings of the morning. 




lo8 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


Thy father and Judah are on their way to Caper- 
naum. As thou knowest,” she continued, smiling 
at Esther’s start of surprise, “ thy father hath never 
accepted Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. All 
his long life hath he watched and waited for the 
coming of the promised king of Israel. That he 
was to come with pomp and power and riches, and 
sit upon the throne of David, and subdue all 
nations, he doubted not. While waiting and look- 
ing to Jerusalem as the birthplace of our king, 
Jesus was born in our own village of Bethlehem. 
The writings of the prophets concerning his birth ; 
the visit of the angels to the shepherds ; the com- 
ing of the Wise Men, and the murder of the babes 
and Benjamin, convinced him not. After long 
years of waiting, when hope was growing dim, 
John the Baptist, sent of God, came from out the 
wilderness and aroused the nation. But his teach- 
ing of repentance pleased not thy father. Then 
Jesus came and healed disease and taught and 
preached; but thy father’s heart hardened within 
him, he would not believe. Thou knowest how he 
hath mourned over Israel’s debased condition,” 
continued Rachel. “ The unjust ruling and taxing 
of the people, the traders and money-lenders pol- 
luting the sacred courts of the Temple, caused him 
much sorrow. At the time of the Jews’ Passover, 
while we paused a moment within the great porch, 
his heart grew sick within him as he beheld the 
trading, and listened to the bargaining and disput- 


Asa decides to seek Jesus. 


109 


ing of the money-lenders. Then Jesus came and 
looked, and drove them out and away, saying, 
‘ Make not my Father’s house an house of mer- 
chandise.’ His heart was touched with a feeling 
of respect and sympathy for a man who dared to 
be so true and brave; still he believed not on him 
as the Messiah. As the days passed away and 
help came not, his heart forgot how to hope, a 
fever consumed his bones by day and by night, his 
soul fainted within him. Then we heard, through 
thy letter from Nain, of that Sabbath at Nazareth, 
and of Jesus’ teachings; and since that day, a pur- 
pose hath been slowly forming in his heart, though 
he fain would not consent unto it. Last night, 
about the third watch, he arose and began to make 
ready as for a journey. Amazed and somewhat 
disquieted, I questioned, ‘ Art thou in distress, my 
husband, that thou hast arisen while yet the day is 
afar off? ’ And he answered as one answereth 
whose mind is fully set, ‘Yea, sick and distressed 
of soul, Rachel; and when the light of morning 
dawneth, I journey to Capernaum to seek Jesus of 
Nazareth and learn of him.’ Hurriedly I dressed 
and spoke to Judah, and then made ready the 
morning meal ; and when they had partaken of it, 
they set out upon the way.” 

Esther had listened in silence ; but now she arose, 
and, going to her mother, she threw her arms 
around her neck, and dropping her head upon her 
shoulder, burst into tears. Rachel tenderly kissed 


no Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


the cheek that lay so near her own, as she 
whispered, — 

“ Thou hast no cause for sorrow, Esther; the 
God of our father Abraham hath blessed us with 
blessing far above what we could ask or think.” 

“ My tears are not from sorrow, mother,” replied 
Esther, raising her head and smiling brightly, “but, 
like thine own, they flow from gratitude and love 
to God, who granteth unto us that which we long 
for, but dare not ask of him.” 

The first day of Asa’s journey was passed in 
comparative silence. Before Bethlehem was lost 
to sight, Judah discovered that his father, absorbed 
in his own thoughts, wished not to be disturbed. 
When the day was far spent, Judah sought a good 
camping-ground and made ready for the night. 
After the simple meal had been prepared and 
eaten, and Asa reclined at ease within the tent, he 
said abruptly, — 

“Now, Judah, my son, tell me what thou know- 
est about Jesus of Nazareth, his teachings and his 
healings. Thou still believest on him, my son? 
Thou hast no doubt?” 

“Nay, father, I cannot doubt.” 

For a moment in silence, Asa watched the 
shadows, now deepening underneath the trees. A 
gentle, refreshing breeze stole softly through the 
opening of the tent, and with caressing touch 
seemed to cool the fever of his heart, while the 
stars, glowing in the clear sky, spoke to him of 


The Cure of the Leper. 


1 1 1 


God. Ay, and he would listen. His pride and 
unbelief he would humble in the dust. He could 
fight no longer. He would go and sit at the feet 
of the despised Nazarene, and learn of him, if learn 
he could ; but the thought did not bring him hap- 
piness, and it was with a sigh of weariness and 
pain, he said, as he closed his eyes, — 

“ Speak on, my son.” 

“ After the Sabbath day spent in Capernaum, on 
which Jesus healed Simon’s wife’s mother and the 
others, whom Obed spake to us about,” began 
Judah, “Jesus arose in the morning, a long time 
before it was day, and went out into a solitary 
place, that he might talk alone with God his 
Father. But when the day was fully come, many 
people clamored for him at the house of Simon 
Peter. So Peter arose and went out and made 
search for Jesus, the people following; and when 
they found him they besought him to stay with 
them. But he would not stay, and said, ‘ The 
kingdom of God must be preached in other cities 
also.’ So he left Capernaum, and went into Gali- 
lee, teaching in all the cities, and healing all kinds 
of sickness and disease. There was naught that 
could withstand his voice and his touch. Even the 
leper he restored and made whole. When he was 
in a certain city, a man full of leprosy came to him, 
beseeching him to heal him and saying, * Lord, if 
thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.’ And Jesus, 
who looketh with compassion upon every one, was 


12 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


touched, for the man had faith and believed that 
he could heal him. So, stretching forth his 
hand, he touched him, saying, ‘ I will ; be thou 
clean.’ ” 

“And thou say’st that the man was healed?” 
asked Asa, with evident excitement. 

“Aye, so soon as Jesus had spoken, the disease 
departed from him and he was made whole. And 
then Jesus charged him to go unto the priests and 
show himself, and offer the gift for cleansing that 
Moses had commanded.” 

“ Verily, it is almost past belief,” murmured Asa 
to himself, as he again closed his eyes. “ Our 
prophets healed many diseases, but the leper they 
could not restore. And he laid his hand upon 
him ! ” 

“ One day,” continued Judah, “ after he returned 
to Capernaum, he taught the people in Simon 
Peter’s house, and the house was crowded full. 
There had come to him many Pharisees and doc- 
tors of the law from Jerusalem and other cities, to 
hear what he had to say. As he taught, a man 
sick with the palsy was brought by his friends to 
Jesus to be healed ; but the crowd was so great they 
could not enter the room where Jesus was. Dis- 
quieted, but not hopeless, they took counsel of 
one another. Going upon the roof above where 
Jesus stood, and breaking through the tile, they 
let the sick man down upon his bed, which, when 
it came to the floor, rested at the feet of Jesus. 


The Troubling of the Water . 


ii3 


When Jesus saw their faith, — for man must be- 
lieve on him in order to be healed,” said Judah, 
earnestly, “ he said unto the sick man, ‘ Son, be of 
good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee.’ But some 
of the scribes and Pharisees which sat around him, 
and believed not on him, began to say in their 
hearts, ‘ This man blasphemeth ; who can forgive 
sins but God alone?’ And Jesus, who readeth all 
the thoughts of men’s hearts, looked at them and 
said, ‘Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 
For whether is it easier, to say to the sick of the 
palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee, or to say, Arise, 
take up thy bed, and go thy way unto thine house.’ 
And the sick man, when Jesus spake unto him, 
rose up before them all, and taking up his bed 
departed unto his own house.” 

“But did he not first give thanks unto God?” 
asked Asa, wonderingly. 

“ Ay, he went glorifying God ; and many of the 
people, which saw the healing, gave praise also. 
But some of the scribes and Pharisees liked it not, 
and said, ‘ This man hath a devil.’ ” 

“ Strange ! ” murmured Asa. 

“ Thou rememberest the sheep market at Jeru- 
salem, father, with the large pool close by? Dost 
thou know that the water in the pool often bub- 
bleth up in strange fashion, and that many believe 
that an angel is then troubling the water and im- 
parting unto it the power of healing disease? At 
the time of the feast of the Jews, many sick and 
8 


r 14 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


deformed people came to the pool, and lay around 
it, waiting for the troubling of its waters. Jesus 
went up to the Temple, and it so happened that he 
passed along that way, and, when his eyes fell upon 
them, he stood still. Truly, father, he must be the 
Son of God, for he hath the compassion of God in 
his heart. Our prophets healed many people of 
much sickness, but this great love for all men is 
his alone, — they had it not.” 

“ Verily, what thou sayest is true,” replied Asa, 
thoughtfully. 

“ By the pool was a man,” continued Judah, 
“ who for thirty and eight years had been almost 
helpless. And Jesus turning to him asked, ‘ Wilt 
thou be made whole? * And he that was sick, not 
knowing that Jesus could heal him, answered: 

‘ Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to 
put me into the pool; but, while I am coming, 
another steppeth down before me.’ And then 
Jesus spake the words that made him well. Then 
he arose and picked up his bed and walked, he 
who for thirty and eight years had been well-nigh 
helpless. But it was done upon the Sabbath day,” 
said Judah, looking anxiously at his father, “ and 
the Jews meeting him said, ‘ It is the Sabbath day ; 
it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.’ ” 

“ And they said truly,” remarked Asa, in a firm 
voice. 

“ But the man answered, ‘ He that made me well, 
said unto me, Take up thy bed and walk.’ And 


Moses’ Prophecies of the Messiah. 1 1 5 

they asked him who it was that healed him ; but he 
could not answer them, for he knew not. After- 
wards, meeting Jesus in the Temple, he knew him. 
Then he went and told the Jews. The priests 
asked Jesus why he did such unlawful things upon 
the Sabbath day. And he answered them that it 
was lawful to heal upon the Sabbath day, for the 
Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the 
Sabbath, and he added, ‘ My Father worketh hith- 
erto; and I work.’ Then they were indeed en- 
raged at him, because he not only worked upon 
the Sabbath day, but claimed to be the Son of 
God, and equal with God. And they sought to 
stone him.” 

“ Moses taught us not so,” remarked Asa. 

“ Ay, and yet Jesus saith that even Moses in 
whom we trust, he will accuse Israel,” said Judah, 
eagerly. “ For Moses wrote of him, and if we had 
believed Moses’ writings, we would have believed 
Jesus’ words.” 

“ What hath Moses written concerning Jesus of 
Nazareth? ” asked Asa. 

“ Moses hath written that God promised our 
father Abraham that if he obeyed and worshipped 
God alway, from him should come one in whom 
all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” 

“ How knowest thou that this was written of 
Jesus of Nazareth? ” 

“ It was spoken of the Messiah, and Jesus is the 
Messiah,” replied Judah. 


ii 6 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Verily, thou believest on him,” returned Asa, 
with a smile ; “ but what saith Moses more than 
this?” 

“ ‘ The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a 
Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, 
like unto me ; and unto him shall ye hearken ; ’ 
And he saith furthermore, 4 1 will put my words in 
his mouth ; and he shall speak unto them all that 
I shall command him.’ And Obed hath pointed 
out to me, where Moses saith unto those who would 
not believe on him, * And ye returned and wept 
before the Lord ; but the Lord would not hearken 
to your voice, nor give ear unto you.’ And truly, 
father, what is more godlike than these things we 
know of Jesus? — his love for man, the help he 
gives to all who believe on him. He layeth not 
upon us forms and ceremonies more than we can 
bear, for now we go bowed under the load ; but 
instead he lifts the burden of Moses’ laws from off 
our shoulders, and bids us look up to him, and 
through him unto God, and believe, and love, and 
worship. And if we love, we will do the works 
that please God, for they will be works that grow 
out of a loving heart: gentleness, mercy, long suf- 
fering, loving-kindness, even forgiveness for our 
enemies, and not the revenge that hath ever been 
so dear to the heart of the Jew. He saith, by our 
fruits shall we be known, and that figs will not 
grow on thistle bushes.” 

Asa made no reply; and, rising, Judah went to 


Night-Thoughts . 


117 


his father’s side. He lay with closed eyes, and in 
the dim light appeared as though he were asleep. 
With a feeling of disappointment, Judah returned 
to his place, and, wrapping himself in his blanket, 
lay down just within the tent door. Pillowing his 
head upon his arm, he watched the stars, troubled 
and anxious in mind lest his father should not 
believe on that Jesus whom he was learning to 
love so much, until, weary with the day’s long 
journey, he fell asleep. 

Then Asa arose, and, stepping softly over the 
prostrate body of his son, left the tent, and passed 
round to the other side. There, under the quiet 
stars, alone with God and his conflicting thoughts, 
he spent the night. When the rosy dawn began 
to dim the stars and brighten the face of day, he 
returned to the tent, and threw himself down for a 
few moments of rest Judah already showed signs 
of waking, and they must be early upon their way. 



















































ASA’S ARRIVAL AT CAPERNAUM. — HE FINDS 
JESUS AND LISTENS TO HIS TEACHING. — THE 
CENTURION’S REQUEST. — ASA’S CONFESSION 
TO JESUS. — HOW JESUS RECEIVED IT. 


CHAPTER TENTH. 


was late in the afternoon, when Asa and 
Judah reached the summit of the hill over 
which their road wound, and there burst 
upon their sight a full view of the beautiful valley 
of the Sea of Galilee. Involuntarily they halted, 
and gazed upon the lovely picture spread out so 
far below them. The white houses of the busy 
city of Capernaum shone with a dazzling light 
under the bright rays of the setting sun. The 
placid lake, now so quiet that hardly a ripple 
disturbed its waters, reflected upon its bosom 
heaven’s own blue, stained here and there by blots 
of crimson, flecked with gold. From the green 
pasture grounds upon the hill-side, the flocks and 
herds were already slowly making their way down- 
wards. Above the hills, towering in the back- 
ground, the white mountain, majestic Hermon, 
kept watch and ward over the tranquil scene. All 
the way down to the city, this thought was re- 
peated over and over in Judah’s happy heart, 
Jesus is somewhere near, somewhere near ! 

It was late when they reached Capernaum, and 
after finding a comfortable lodging-place, they 
asked about Jesus. 



122 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ He is not in the city to-night,” replied the 
courteous Hebrew of whom they inquired, “ but is 
without in the plain, where a great multitude of 
people are gathered to hear him preach, and to 
be healed of sickness and disease. He hath great 
power, this new teacher, and many go unto him, 
for he gives freely; it costs no money.” 

Early the next morning Asa and Judah went 
out to the plain, to find Jesus ; but he was not 
there, he had gone up into the mountain. Fol- 
lowing, they found him teaching the people and 
his disciples. The first words of Jesus that fell 
upon Asa’s ear pleased him exceedingly, they 
were so different from what he had thought to 
hear. He had feared — from what he had heard 
— that the laws of Moses and the Prophets, so 
dear to his heart, were to be set aside by this new 
teacher. 

Laying his hand upon Judah’s arm, he whis- 
pered, — 

“ Listen ! ” 

“ Think not that I came to destroy the law or 
the prophets,” said Jesus, in a clear voice ; “ I came 
not to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto 
you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or 
one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, 
till all things be accomplished. Whosoever there- 
fore shall break one of these least commandments, 
and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the 
kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and 


Sermon on the Mount. 


123 


teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom 
of heaven; For I say unto you, that except your 
righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the 
scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter 
into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard that 
it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate 
thine enemy : but I say unto you, Love your 
enemies, and pray for them that persecute you ; 
that ye may be sons of your Father which is in 
heaven ; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil 
and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on 
the unjust. For if ye love them that love you, 
what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans 
the same? And if ye do good to them that do 
good to you, what thank have ye? for even sin- 
ners do the same. And if ye lend to them of 
whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? 
Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive again as 
much. But love your enemies, and do them good, 
and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall 
be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High ; 
for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. Be 
ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Ye 
therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father 
is perfect. 

“ Take heed that ye do not your righteousness 
before men, to be seen of them ; else ye have no 
reward with your Father which is in heaven. And 
when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites ; 
for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues 


124 4sa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


and in the corners of the streets, that they may be 
seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have 
their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, 
enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut 
thy door, pray to thy Father which is in 
secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret 
shall recompense thee. And in praying use not 
vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do ; for they 
think that they shall be heard for their much 
speaking. Be not therefore like unto them ; for 
your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, 
before ye ask Him. After this manner therefore 
pray ye: ‘Our Father which art in Heaven, 
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give 
us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our 
debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And 
bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from 
the evil one.’ For if ye forgive men their tres- 
passes, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither 
will your Father forgive your trespasses. No man 
can serve two masters ; for either he will hate the 
one, and love the other; or else he will hold to 
one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God 
and mammon. And judge not, and ye shall not 
be judged; and condemn not, and ye shall not be 
condemned ; release, and ye shall be released ; 
give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, 
pressed down, shaken together, running over, 


Sermon on the Mount . 


125 


shall they give into your bosom. For with what 
measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you 
again. Ask and it shall be given you ; seek, and 
ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto 
you ; for every one that asketh receiveth ; and he 
that seeketh findeth ; and to him that knocketh it 
shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, 
who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will he give 
him a stone; or if he shall ask for a fish, will he 
give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know 
how to give good gifts unto your children, how 
much more shall your Father which is in heaven 
give good things to them that ask him? All 
things therefore whatsoever ye would that men 
should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them ; 
for this is the law and the prophets. 

“ Enter ye in by the narrow gate; for wide is the 
gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to de- 
struction, and many there be that enter in thereby. 
For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, 
that leadeth unto life, and few be they that find it. 

“ The good man out of the good treasure of his 
heart bringeth forth that which is good ; and the 
evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth 
that which is evil ; for out of the abundance of the 
heart his mouth speaketh.” 

When Jesus had finished speaking, they came 
down from the mountain and returned to Caper- 
naum. Judah was full of enthusiasm. The ser- 
mon had touched him deeply, and he longed to 


126 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 

talk it over with his father ; but Asa’s grave face 
and preoccupied air deterred him. 

When they had reach the city, Asa said, as 
though answering his own thoughts, — 

“ Truly, he speaks as one who knoweth all 
things, and not as our scribes; and yet my heart 
still hath somewhat of doubt. I fain would speak 
with him, Judah.” 

“ He left the mountain soon after we set forth, 
father; and the time will not be long before he 
reacheth the city. We will wait here, and watch 
for his coming,” said Judah, gladly. 

They had not long to wait ; and when he entered 
the city, they joined the crowd around him, and 
found Jesus talking with several of the chief men 
of the synagogue, who had come to ask him to 
heal a man very sick with the palsy. 

“ If something more than the physicians can do 
for him is not done, and done quickly, Rabbi, the 
man must die. He for whom we ask thy mercy,” 
Asa heard them say, “ is the much loved servant 
of a Centurion. This Centurion, although a Gen- 
tile, is a most worthy man. He not only loveth 
our nation, but hath built for us a synagogue. 
We beseech thee to come and heal his servant.” 

Willingly Jesus went with them, the crowd fol- 
lowing. As they approached the house, the Cen- 
turion saw them coming, and was troubled. How 
great a service he was asking of the Messiah ! 
Hastily calling to a friend, he said, — 


Jesus and the Centurion. 


1 27 


“ Do thou go out and meet Jesus, and say unto 
him, ‘ Trouble not thyself to come unto my house.’ 
For he hath only to say the word, and it will be 
well with my servant.” 

But when he saw that Jesus still continued on 
his way, he ran out himself to meet him, and, look- 
ing into the face of the Christ, said not at all that 
he had intended, but only, “ Lord, my servant is 
nigh unto death.” 

Jesus answered his appeal with the words, “ I 
will come and heal him.” 

Then the Centurion answered, quickly, — 

“ Lord, I am a sinful man, and not worthy to 
have thee come into my house. I did not come 
unto thee for help,” he continued earnestly, “but 
sent my friends, because of my unworthiness. 
Thou hast only to say the word, Rabbi, and my 
servant shall be healed.” 

Jesus turned around, and, facing the crowd that 
followed him, said, — 

“ Verily, I say urrto you, I have not found so 
great faith, no, not in Israel.” 

Carried along by the moving throng, Asa found 
himself very near to Jesus when he turned and 
spoke to the people. As he watched the expres- 
sion of his face, and listened to his words, he was 
struck anew by the nobility, the great sympathy 
and love for man, showing through every word 
and deed. Touched to the quick, he stretched out 
his hands toward Jesus, and cried in a loud voice, — 


128 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Lord, I also would believe on thee ; but mine 
unbelief hath been great. Is there forgiveness and 
mercy for such as I? I will tell thee truly, Rabbi,” 
he continued, his face grown set and gray under the 
stress of his emotion, “ I would not believe on thee 
because thou wast born in a manger, and wast poor 
and lowly. In the hardness and pride of mine heart, 
I said, Israel’s king must come with splendor, and 
with riches, and subdue all nations by his power. 
I heard of thy healing of the body, and of the 
sin-sick soul; still I scorned thee in mine heart, I 
would not believe. Now I have seen thee, and 
have listened to thy teachings, Lord, and my soul 
is sore distressed within me, for truly thou art the 
Son of God. Is there forgiveness for such as I ? ” 

As Asa, now fallen upon his knees, lifted his 
dimmed eyes toward the face of the Master, he 
was met by a look at once so compassionate, and 
yet so penetrating, — a glance that laid bare his 
inmost heart, itself an unclean thing, full of sin 
and selfishness. He saw himself abhorred of 
God, a rejector of his Son, a sinner above all 
others. There was, there could be, no hope, no 
pardon for him. But, listen, as from the lips of 
God himself fall the gracious words of compassion 
and healing, “ Be of good cheer, thy sins are for- 
given thee.” 

As Judah pressed forward to raise his father, 
he turned toward Jesus a face full of intense love 
and gratitude ; and, bending, he reverently kissed 


The Prayer of Asa . 


129 


the fringe upon his outer garment. Then, helping 
the trembling old man upon his feet, they left the 
crowd, and turned their steps toward their lodging. 
As they walked, Asa’s step grew firmer ; his bowed 
form straightened; he held his head erect: he was 
like to a man sick and wasted by disease, suddenly 
restored to full strength and vigor. When they 
reached the house, Asa turned his happy face 
toward Judah, and said, — 

“Judah, my son, let us first of all give thanks 
unto God for his great mercy,” and, dropping upon 
their knees, Asa began, not the prayer of thanks- 
giving that Judah expected, but with Christ’s own 
words: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy 
will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us 
this day our daily bread. And forgive us our 
debts — forgive us our debts,” repeated Asa, in a 
trembling voice, “ as we also have forgiven our 
debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but 
deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the 
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, 
Amen.” 


9 


































* 






































































































































XI 


THE JOURNEY TO NAIN. — THE DEATH OF LEVI.— 
“I SAY UNTO THEE ARISE ! ” — OBED’S ACCOUNT 
OF JESUS’S STAY IN THE WILDERNESS. 


CHAPTER ELEVENTH. 


HAVE had speech with John, Christ’s 
friend and disciple,” said Judah, return- 
ing to the house later in the evening. 
“ To-morrow, Jesus and his disciples go to Nam.” 

“ To Nain ! ” said Asa, with interest. “ We will 
go with him,” he continued, after a little thought. 
“I fain would hear more of his teaching; and we 
will see and have speech with your Aunt Ruth 
and with Levi. When last your mother heard 
from Nain, your aunt was full of foreboding; Levi 
seemed again threatened with the fever.” 

“ I wonder that Aunt Ruth lives in Nain,” re- 
turned Judah, “ Levi is ailing so much of the 
time. He is seventeen years old, yet he hath not 
the strength of a lad of twelve. Rememberest 
thou how much greater my strength at that age, 
father, in spite of the ugly scar I carry in the top 
of my right lung? But rest thee, father, and I 
will make ready for the morrow’s journey.” 

“ As thou wilt, my son,” returned Asa, and, 
throwing himself upon his cot, he closed his eyes. 
But sleep would not come to him ; and he began 
to ponder anew the teachings and words of that 




134 dsa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


Jesus to whom he owed so much. How could 
he have been so blind ! How little he deserved 
such mercy at the hands of God’s Son ! Ay, but 
now he would serve him with heart and soul ; the 
rest of his life belonged to him. And Rachel, — 
a sudden moisture filled his eyes, as he thought 
of her. How firm her faith and pure her trust 
in Jesus as the Messiah! Not once in all the 
years had it wavered. How grieved her heart at 
his unbelief, and how she had pled with him ; yet 
how loving and patient she had been through it 
all ! And he? How harsh and cold he had grown 
toward her ; how he had shut her out of his heart, 
— not because he loved her less, but to punish her 
for not accepting his word as final, when he de- 
clared that Jesus was not the Messiah, the Christ! 
He loathed himself as he thought of it. He must 
tell her the good news at once. He was almost 
sorry he was going to Nain instead of turning his 
face toward Bethlehem. How much happiness 
the news would give her! In imagination he saw 
her sweet face paling and flushing, as it always 
did under stress of great emotion ; he felt her 
clinging arms around his neck. He knew that 
she was weeping ; but he also knew that her tears 
were tears of joy and thanksgiving. How gener- 
ously she would forgive him ! How great a debt 
he owed to the despised Nazarene ! 

The next morning, when Asa and Judah joined 
Jesus and his disciples, they found many people 


The Widow's Dead Son. 


135 


with him ; and even after they had set out upon 
the journey, others joined them upon the way. 
The great company journeyed slowly, and the day 
was far spent when they neared the city. 

As they climbed the narrow and rocky road 
which leads up to the gate of Nain, there was 
borne to them upon the breeze the despairing 
wail of musical instruments, mingled with the 
chanting of mourners who accompany the dead 
to the place of burial. A moment later, a large 
procession issued from the city gate. Hastily the 
travellers arranged themselves along the wayside, 
that the procession might have room to pass. At 
the head of the bier walked a weeping woman. 
Judah glanced at her, then gazed wonderingly, so 
like his Aunt Ruth she appeared to him. Jesus 
saw her too, and his heart, so responsive to all 
phases of human suffering, was touched with pity. 
He remained not with his disciples, but walked on 
alone, pausing beside the weeping mother to say 
gently, — 

“ Weep not.” 

A step or two brought him to the bier, upon 
which he laid his hand, and the bearers, surprised, 
stood still. 

“ Father,” whispered Judah, eagerly, “ see, Jesus 
hath touched the bier. Therein is great defile- 
ment according to our laws ; but he, the Son of 
God cannot be defiled, — even the touch of death 
hath no terror for him.” 


136 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Listen,” answered Asa ; “he speaketh.” 

As Judah turned again, Jesus, standing beside 
the bier, said in a clear voice, — 

“ Young man, I say unto thee, Arise ! ” 

Amazed, Judah awaited the answering of that 
command with intense excitement, as did the 
multitude and the weeping mother. 

A gentle movement, a decided stirring of the 
body, and, throwing aside the covering, the young 
man raised himself upon the bier and, sitting there, 
began to speak. 

Judah stared bewildered, passed his hand across 
his eyes, and looked again. There was no longer 
room for doubt, the young man was Levi, — his 
cousin Levi ! 

Asa and Judah stood for a moment as in a 
dream, while the Master, with tenderest compas- 
sion, gave him that was dead, but now alive, again 
unto his mother. Quickly pressing forward, they 
joined in the praise and thanksgiving of the two 
so dear to them. Then turning, they went hur- 
riedly and joyfully back to that home left so little 
time ago in agony and hopelessness. 

There was no sleep for any of them that night. 
Ruth had much to tell Asa of what had happened 
since last she wrote to Rachel : of the weeks dur- 
ing which Levi, weak and languid, though not ill 
enough to keep his bed, had suffered much at the 
hands of the physician, with the hope of breaking 
up the fever, but without avail. In her distress, 


The Reunited Family. 


i3 7 


her thought turned to Jesus, the new teacher. She 
had heard of his healing of disease, and he was 
not far away ; but she did not believe on him 
as the Messiah, and quite doubted whether or not 
he could cure so grave a disease as this. So, dis- 
missing the thought of his help, she turned again 
to the remedies given by the physician, and worked 
and watched and waited. Then came the sudden 
change: delirium, stupor, death, — snatched away 
from her without so much as a word of love or fare- 
well. And now he had been given back to her, 
brought again from the land of the dead by the 
word of this same Jesus ; and more than this, he 
was given back to her well and strong as he had 
never been before. And, tearful and happy, she 
paused, while Asa told of his own unbelief and the 
struggle of the past few months; of his journey to 
Capernaum to learn of Christ, and of the forgiveness 
of his sins. He told her that he believed Jesus 
to be indeed the Son of God, and that he should 
devote the remainder of his life to learning of him, 
and doing the will of God, who sent him. 

Levi had listened in silence to the words spoken 
by his mother and his kinsman Asa. Now he 
arose and walked rapidly once or twice the length 
of the room, then, pausing before Ruth, said 
earnestly, — 

“ Mother, thou knowest how much I love thee ; 
thou knowest also how often in the past I have 
mocked and made light of this Jesus and his claims 


138 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


to be the Messiah, the Son of God. I must tell 
thee now, mother,” he continued impetuously, 
“ all the strength of my hatred hath been turned 
into love. The life he hath given back to me 
must be for his use alone. Mother,” stooping 
and bringing his eager face close to her own, 
“ mother, wilt thou leave my heart to go to him 
alone? ” 

“ Nay, Levi, my son,” she answered, smiling 
through her tears; “I gave him all when, alone 
and bowed with grief, I stood beside thee dead, 
and he looked upon me, and in compassion and 
pity gently said unto me, ‘ Weep not/ ” 

The next day Asa and Judah set forth upon 
their return journey. Beforehand, however, it was 
decided that Ruth and Levi would leave Nain so 
soon as the vineyard could be disposed of, and 
henceforth make Bethlehem their home. 

“ Rachel will be a happy woman when ‘she 
heareth all I have in my heart to tell her,” re- 
marked Asa, as he said good-bye to his kinsfolk. 

Ay, happy; but the depth and height of her 
happiness and gratitude he never fathomed. He 
who seeth and knoweth all things, alone knew. 

Not many weeks after Asa and Judah had re- 
turned to Bethlehem, Ruth and her son Levi, 
having disposed of the vineyard much sooner 
than they had supposed possible, joined them. 
Cordially welcomed, they were quickly settled in 
their new home. A happier household it were 


Judas Iscariot . 


139 


hard to find, — one in love and sympathy, eager 
and anxious to learn of Jesus, to understand and 
live his teachings in their lives. 

“ Father looks years younger since his visit to 
Capernaum,” remarked Esther to her mother, 
watching him as, accompanied by Judah and Levi, 
he started one morning for the orchards. “ He 
walks almost as lightly, and holds himself quite as 
erect, as Judah.” 

“A heart at one with God maketh a happy 
man and young,” replied Rachel, smiling; “while 
to be at war with God, boweth the strongest 
shoulders and writeth with deep lines upon the 
brow. Thy father, in his pride and unbelief, re- 
jected Christ, the Messiah. He suffered, for he 
is a man of truth and goodness. His eyes were 
holden, and he would not see. Now all is changed. 
A believer and lover of the Christ, with sins for- 
given, this maketh for him sunshine in both heart 
and face ; ” and, turning from the door, Rachel 
went about her household duties. 

“There goes Ezra and his friend Judas Iscariot,” 
remarked Judah, as the three entered the orchard. 

“ I like him not,” hastily responded Levi, with 
a slight frown puckering his brow. 

“ He is a strange man ; I understand him not at 
all,” returned Judah, smiling at Levi’s warmth of 
manner. “ A man of ability, a disciple, and chosen 
by Christ himself as one of the twelve, yet my 


140 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


heart refuses to trust in him. Ezra, too, hath 
changed of late.” 

“ Ezra thinks much of cousin Esther, does he 
not, Judah?” 

“ Ay, more than it pleases me to have him.” 

“ Thou needst not fear for her,” returned Levi, 
with a scornful curl of the lip ; “ she regardeth him 
not. A prince among men will he be, that wins 
her heart, Judah.” 

“ She is indeed a queen among women,” returned 
Judah, with a pleased smile. “ But where is 
father?” 

“ Over by that gnarled old olive-tree, and some 
one is talking with him ; it is Obed,” exclaimed 
Levi, making a telescope of his hands. “ He 
must have just returned from Jerusalem. He hath 
something to tell about Jesus. Let us hasten;” 
and, suiting the action to the words, Levi broke 
into a run. 

Judah quickened his steps, and reached the 
group just in time to hear Obed say, — 

“ He hath two natures, divine and human, and 
yet they are one. His divine power of healing 
disease, providing food, and giving rest to the 
heavy-laden, he useth for others, never for himself. 
He is human, just as we are human, with the same 
powers, subject to the same temptations. How 
could he bid us be perfect in our lives as he is, if 
he had power that we cannot have? ” 

“ But Obed, he hath the help of God in all its 
fulness,” said Asa. 


Jesus tempted by Satan. 


141 


“ Ay ; and cannot we have the same, if we ask 
for it as earnestly and constantly as he? John 
hath told me of many things concerning the 
Master,” continued Obed, seating himself on a low 
spreading limb of the olive-tree. “ After Jesus 
was baptized of John in the river Jordan, he went 
into the wilderness and was there for forty days 
and nights.” 

“ In the wilderness ! ” exclaimed Levi. “ Of all 
places, that is the last one I should think he would 
choose. Why, it is alive with wild beasts. What 
did he want there?” 

“ To be alone with God,” replied Obed; “and 
perhaps the wild beasts were less to be dreaded 
than men. But when he was worn and weak with 
fasting, — for he took no food with him when he 
went, — the devil came unto him and tempted him 
to turn some of the stones into bread, that he might 
eat, for he was very hungry.” 

“ Of course he could have done so,” said Levi, 
eagerly ; “but did he?” 

“ Nay, Levi ; for although his human nature is 
like our own in all things, save only he hath never 
sinned, if he had used his power as God, and 
turned the stones into bread and eaten thereof, 
how could he bid us follow him in all things, see- 
ing, when we are tempted, we have no divine 
nature to help us in like manner? Therein lay 
Satan’s temptation. But Jesus overcame as we 
must overcome, by asking and receiving help of 


142 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


God. He answered Satan, ‘ Man shall not live by- 
bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth 
out of the mouth of God.’ Then the tempter 
taketh him to Jerusalem,” continued Obed, as no 
one seemed inclined to break the silence which 
followed his last words, “ and up onto the Temple, 
and saith, ‘ Throw thyself down ; if thou be the 
Son of God, it will not hurt thee, for it is written 
that God shall give his angels charge concerning 
thee, and they shall keep thee from harm, so that 
thou dash not thy foot against a stone.’ ” 

“ The people would have received him with 
shouts of joy had he so come,” said Judah, thought- 
fully : “ they want not his teachings, but signs and 
wonders they run after.” 

“ Ay,” responded Obed ; “ but he worketh not 
miracles to amuse the rabble, and give the people . 
something to wonder and talk about.” 

“ How did he answer Satan? ” asked Asa. 

“ He said, * Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy 
God.’ Satan saw that he could do nothing with 
Jesus there, so he taketh him onto a high moun- 
tain and showeth him the great cities of the world, 
and all their splendor and riches, and said unto 
him, 4 See ! all these cities and the power and 
glory of them will I give unto thee, if only thou 
wilt fall down and worship me.’ ” 

“Did it tempt him, Obed? ” asked Levi. 

“Ay, it tempted him,” returned Obed. “If he 
could have gained the whole world in a moment, 


Jesus refuses to worship Satan. 


143 


and Satan had gone away and no longer troubled 
men, how quickly would they have flocked unto 
him and have learned of God.” 

“ Ay, but if Jesus had worshipped Satan, he 
would have been subject unto Satan, and Satan 
would have been king, and not God,” said Judah. 

. “ Thou hast spoken truly,” returned Asa. “ That 
way is not of truth and righteousness; it only 
seemeth so, for it hath long been written by the 
prophet, ‘ Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, 
and him only shalt thou serve.’ God worketh 
not through Satan’s promises or proposals.” 

“Jesus himself so answered Satan, and yielded 
not,” returned Obed, reverently. 



XII 


THE STORM ON THE LAKE. — JUDAS ISCARIOT’S 
EVENING WITH ASA’S HOUSEHOLD. — EZRA’S 


HATRED OF JESUS. 


CHAPTER TWELFTH. 


LL the long day Jesus has been busy 
among the multitudes that thronged 
about him on the shore of Galilee, teach- 
ing, healing diseases of the body, and making well 
the sin-sick soul. Now the day is far spent, and 
sending the people to their homes, he turns to his 
disciples, saying, — 

“ Let us pass over to the other side of the lake.” 

Peter’s boat is moored close by; and, not even 
waiting for their evening meal, they enter, cast off 
the fastenings, set the sail, and start for the other 
side. 

The wind from out the deep mountain gorges 
is coming down upon the lake in gentle, though 
fitful gusts, ruffling and causing little ripples to run 
over its placid waters. Jesus is very weary. The 
strain upon heart and nerves has been great; and, 
going to the stern of the boat, he lies down upon 
the steersman’s bench, where sometimes the sailors 
are wont to rest. One of the disciples brings him 
a pillow ; and, placing his head upon it, he is soon 
fast asleep. 

Meanwhile the gusts of wind become stronger. 
There is a touch of menace in their sting as they 



48 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


lash the waters. Little clouds begin to scud across 
the sky. Blown hither and thither by an unseen 
force, they huddle together and mass themselves, 
until, like a great pall, thick and deep and wide, 
they hang scowling down into the faces of the 
anxious, watching disciples. The wind, now risen 
to a gale, rushes down upon the boat, and, seizing 
the sail that the frightened fishermen are trying to 
furl, tears it from their grasp and from its fastenings, 
and with a loud report as it rends, sends it flying 
out into the storm and night. Lashed into fury, 
the waves overrun the ship. Great masses of foam, 
blinding their eyes, are thrown in upon them. 
Their ears are filled with the howling of the tem- 
pest and the noises of their straining and fast-filling 
ship, as rising, pitching, falling, she rolls helplessly 
in the trough of the waves. 

As Peter cries out, “We are going down ! ” they 
remember Jesus, and ask, “ Is he still asleep?” 
Hastily they arouse him, crying, — 

“ Master, Master, we perish ! Carest thou not 
that we perish? Lord save us, we perish ! ” 

Awakened by their cry, Jesus raises his head and 
looks around. Then, turning to them, with gentle 
rebuke, he asks, — 

“Why are ye so fearful, O ye of little faith?” 
And, rising to his feet, he looks out over the raging 
sea, and, regarding it calmly, speaks, saying, “ Peace, 
be still.” 

Hearing his words, the furious wind subsides, 


Judas Iscariot at Asa’s House. 


149 


and hangs quivering in mid-air. The foaming bil- 
lows sink away and hold with gentle touch the ship 
now resting so securely upon the placid waters. 
The dark masses of clouds break asunder and dis- 
close glowing stars that shed their pale light upon 
the tranquil scene. 

Then Jesus, turning to his wondering disciples, 
asks sadly, — 

“ Where is your faith? How is it that ye have 
no faith? ” 

But they answered him not a word, for they were 
exceedingly afraid, and very much ashamed. 

One evening before his departure from Bethle- 
hem, Judas Iscariot went with Ezra to spend an 
hour or so with the family of Asa. Hearing much 
from his friend Ezra concerning the beauty of 
Esther, he was quite desirous of meeting her. 
When they reached the place, they found the family 
upon the housetop; and after Judas had been made 
known to them all, and was seated beside Rachel, 
but near to Esther, with whom he hoped to enter 
into conversation, Asa began, — 

“Truly, thou art a welcome guest, friend Judas, 
for thou hast it in thy power to give what is more 
than food and raiment to the house of Asa.” 

“ Thy request is granted even before it hath 
been uttered,” returned Judas, gratified. “What 
wouldst thou that I speak unto thee?” 

“Tell us of Jesus of Nazareth,” responded Asa, 


150 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 

eagerly. “ Thou art one of his chosen friends 
and disciples. Thou seest him day by day; thou 
hast much of great value to us, his followers.” 

A slight frown settled for a moment upon Judas’s 
brow as he replied, — 

“ I hardly know what to say unto thee; Jesus is 
like all other great prophets in that he doth strange 
things.” 

“ Ay, but he is more than a prophet,” said 
Esther, quietly ; “ he is also the Son of God.” 

“ Believest thou so? ” asked Judas, with a smile. 
“ He is a man great of heart,” continued Judas, 
slowly, “ and is touched with compassion by every 
form of suffering and sorrow. The most loath- 
some diseases and the most debased men and 
women he forgiveth, and healeth, and loveth.” 

“ Verily, that is like unto God,” said Rachel, 
softly. 

“ I like it not,” returned Judas, irritably; “had 
I my will, all such should not approach near unto 
him. Thou hast heard that he putteth aside many 
of our laws and customs,” continued Judas; “ but 
dost thou know that he eateth with publicans and 
sinners? ” 

As no one answered, he continued, — 

“ One day a certain Pharisee of Galilee, Simon 
by name, invited him to dine. Jesus consented, 
and when the time set was come, entered the 
house and sat 1 down at the table. Now there 

1 The word translated “ sat,” means to recline. This was 
the ordinary posture at table in the time of Jesus. 


Jesus and Simon the Pharisee. 


5i 


was in the city a woman who was a .great sinner, 
and she, having heard that Jesus was with Simon 
the Pharisee in his house, came and brought an 
alabaster flask of fragrant ointment, very precious, 
and, coming in softly, stood behind Jesus at his 
feet. As she stood there, she began to weep, and 
her tears fell down upon his feet insomuch that 
they were wet. Taking her hair, which was long 
and fine, she wiped them, and when she had done 
this, she broke the alabaster flask and anointed 
them with the fragrant oil. The Pharisee thought 
within his heart that Jesus, if he knew what man- 
ner of woman she was, would forbid her touch ; 
but he, reading the thoughts of the heart, spake 
and said, ‘ Simon, I have somewhat to say unto 
thee.’ And Simon answered, * Master, say on.’ 
‘There was once a man,’ began Jesus, ‘who had 
two debtors. One owed him five hundred pence, 
the other fifty, and when the time was come for 
them to return to him his money, behold, they had 
nothing with which to pay it. When he saw that 
it was so, he forgave them both, and cancelled the 
debt. Now which of the two will love him most?’ 
Simon answered : ‘ I suppose that he to whom 
most was forgiven will love most.’ Jesus said, 
‘ Thou hast rightly judged ; ’ and, turning toward 
the weeping woman, he said : ‘ Seest thou this 
woman? When I entered thy house, thou gavest 
me no water for my feet, but she hath washed 
them with tears, and wiped them with her hair. 


152 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


Thou gavest # me no kiss, but she hath kissed my 
feet No oil hast thou given me for my head, but 
she hath anointed my feet with fragrant ointment. 
Therefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are 
many, are forgiven, for she loveth much/ And 
he said to the woman, ‘ Thy faith hath saved thee, 
go in peace.’ 

“ It was a great waste of money,” continued 
Judas, musingly: “the perfume is worth many 
times its weight in silver, and Jesus saveth not, — he 
ever giveth freely to the poor. As thou knowest,” 
he added apologetically, “ I carry the bag, and 
make distribution of its contents.” 

“ Thou lovest him not with thine whole heart, 
is it not so, Judas? ” asked Ruth, softly. 

“ Nay, I said not so,” returned Judas ; “ but a man 
may see faults even in his friends. When he 
cometh unto the throne of David, all will be well ; 
there will then be silver enough and to spare.” 

“ Verily, Israel hath gone mad over Jesus of 
Nazareth,” burst out Ezra, angrily, “ mad with 
love, and mad with hate ! For myself I believe 
not on him ! He defieth our laws and customs, 
teacheth strange doctrines, and setteth friend 
against friend,” he added, looking at Esther mourn- 
fully. “ He upturneth the nation. Would that I 
had power, I would crush him, so ! ” he added 
savagely, setting his foot heavily upon a large 
spider crawling past him. 

Startled and dismayed, Esther turned toward 


Ezra's Dislike of Jesus. 


153 


him, the indignation and abhorrence of her heart 
showing in her eyes and upon her face. Esther 
was the one woman in all the world to Ezra; from 
a child he had loved her with all the love of which 
his selfish and passionate heart was capable. Her 
interest in Jesus had always been an annoyance 
to him ; and when he began to preach and teach, 
and Esther had turned unto him and believed on 
him as the Messiah, Ezra’s dislike and anger 
toward him had grown into positive hatred He 
believed that the teachings of Jesus had divided 
even their few mutual interests, and swept her 
along another way, far beyond his reach. Now, 
reading all her aversion in her face, rage took 
possession of him; and, rising, he bent over her, 
saying in a low but intense voice, — 

“ The priests and scribes at Jerusalem are lying 
in wait for thy friend Jesus. Slowly, but surely, 
is he coming within their grasp. They hate him 
with bitter hatred, as I hate him ; and when they 
have him once within their power, then, then, will 
come the day of my rejoicing, and the day of my 
revenge ! And, mark thee, Esther,” he said, bring- 
ing his lips close to her ear, “the priests at Jeru- 
salem may count on Ezra the Jew for all the help 
that he can give ! ” 

Turning from her, he passed swiftly down the 
stairway. 

Seeing his friend depart, Judas half rose to 
accompany him, when Asa said kindly, — 


1 54 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


“Haste thee not, Judas, Ezra will soon return. 
He hath ever been an excitable fellow,” he added, 
smiling. “ Something in our speech hath no 
doubt disturbed him. What hast thou said unto 
Ezra to make him go in such haste, Esther?” 

Ruth, who had heard somewhat of their inter- 
view, and noted Esthers shrinking and distress, 
hoping to shield her from observation, turned to 
Judas, and, without giving her time to answer, 
again took up the broken thread of conversation. 

“ Returnest thou soon to Jesus and the dis- 
ciples?” she asked him. 

“ To-morrow I return to Capernaum,” he 
answered her. 

“ Levi, my son whom he raised from the dead, 
hath long desired to be with Jesus for a season, 
that he may hear from his own lips his teachings 
and his doctrines. I have not been willing that he 
take the journey alone; but now that thou art 
about to return, can he not journey with thee? ” 

“ Most gladly will I accept his company,” re- 
turned Judas ; “ but what say’st thou : that he was 
raised from the dead?” 

“Ay, at Nain, by Jesus of Nazareth,” she 
answered softly ;“ and we love him, and fain would 
follow all his teachings. Therefore Levi would 
learn from his own lips.” 

“ It is in my power to give him the desire of his 
heart ; and gladly will I do it,” returned Judas, 
heartily. “With me he can approach near unto 


Judas takes Leave of the Family. 


155 


Jesus at all times, hearing his teachings and wit- 
nessing his miracles. I leave Bethlehem in the 
early morning light,” he continued, rising ; “ and 
as the hour groweth late, I will wait no longer for 
the return of Ezra.” 

Taking leave of the family, he departed, Levi 
going a part of the way with him, that he might 
talk over the arrangements for the journey on the 


morrow. 






























































































































XIII. 


LEVI ACCOMPANIES JUDAS ISCARIOT TO CAPER- 
NAUM.— JAIRUS AND JESUS.— FEEDING THE 
MULTITUDE. — UPON THE LAKE IN A GREAT 
WIND STORM. — JESUS’S CARE OF HIS FRIENDS 
— JUDAS ISCARIOT’S DISSATISFACTION. 


CHAPTER THIRTEENTH. 


HEN Judas and Levi reached Capernaum, 
they found the city in a ferment of excite- 
ment over the raising from the dead of a 
little girl, the daughter of Jairus, one of the rulers 
of the synagogue. A child greatly beloved, and 
tenderly nourished, it had not seemed possible that 
she could die; and Jairus was as one stricken 
dumb, when the physicians said unto him, “ Thy 
daughter must die ; in vain have been all our efforts 
of healing.” 

In his despair, he remembered Jesus. Was he 
not called the Great Physician and could he not 
help even though others failed? Leaving every- 
thing, he searched the city through, and, finding 
Jesus with his disciples, fell down at his feet and 
besought him, with great eagerness, to come and 
heal his little daughter, crying, — 

“ Rabbi, if thou wilt but lay thy hands upon her, 
she may be healed and live.” 

Jesus arose and went with him, as also did his 
disciples; but before they reached the house, a 
messenger came hastily to meet them, and said to 
Jairus, — 

“ Thy daughter is dead ; trouble not the Master.” 



160 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


But Jesus saw the messenger, and heard the 
message; and, turning to the stricken father, he 
looked upon him with tenderest pity, and said, — 

“ Be not afraid : only believe, and she shall be 
made well.” 

And Jairus lifted his despairing eyes unto the 
face of the Christ, and, looking, he believed on him 
with his whole heart. 

They reached the house quickly, and found it 
filled with people. Above the tumult and the 
noise, sounded the weeping and wailing of women, 
and the mournful dirge of musical instruments. 

Entering, Jesus said, — 

“ Why make ye this ado, and weep ? Give place ; 
for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth.” 

And they laughed and jeered at him ; for they 
knew that she was dead. 

Then turning them out of the house, with Jairus, 
his wife, and three of the disciples, Jesus went into 
the room where the dead child lay. Standing 
beside the couch, he took her cold little hand into 
his own, so warm and full of healing, and, as his 
fingers closed about it, he said gently, — 

“Little maid, arise.” 

That clasp, that voice, vanquished even death, and 
the child awoke, and, opening her eyes, she looked 
into the face of the Son of God. As she gazed, 
a faint color crept into her face and tinged her 
cheek. Her lips half parted in a smile of bewilder- 
ment and delight, and, still held by that divine 


Jesus and his Disciples. 


161 


hand, she obeyed his command, and arose and 
walked. Giving her to her mother, and charging 
that she be given something to eat, Jesus left the 
house. 

Levi had not been long in Capernaum, when 
Jesus called the twelve disciples together, and sent 
them out into the surrounding country and cities, 
that they might teach others, as he had taught 
them, of the way of life, and the kingdom of God. 
During the time of their absence, Levi remained near 
Jesus, following him from place to place, listening to 
his teaching, and learning day by day more of the 
wonderful love and compassion of his divine heart. 

When the twelve returned, they came to Jesus ; 
but they could not talk with him, because of the 
multitudes that, coming and going, thronged around 
him. So, quietly going away together, they crossed 
the lake, and, going up into a mountain on the 
other side, they sat down and began to tell Jesus 
what they had taught, and what they had done; for 
he had given them power to heal disease. But 
some of the people who saw him get into the boat, 
ran around the lake on foot; and others of the 
multitude, hearing that Jesus had crossed the lake, 
followed after. 

Gathering near the foot of the mountain, they 
waited; and Jesus, lifting up his eyes, saw them, 
a great company, and his heart ached for them* 
for they knew not the way of life. Leaving the 

ii 


1 62 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


mountain, he came down to teach them of the 
kingdom of God and Eternal Life. And he found 
among them many suffering from disease ; but he 
healed them all. 

The afternoon sun began to picture, with long 
drawn out shadows, the rocky points of the moun- 
tain upon the ground, and still Jesus taught, and 
the people listened. The day was fast passing, 
and the disciples began to grow uneasy, for they 
had naught with which to feed the multitude. 

Finally, when the evening was at hand, they 
came to Jesus, and said, — 

“ This is a lonely place : send the people away, 
that they may go into the towns and country round 
about, and lodge, and buy food for themselves: for 
they have nothing to eat.” 

“ They need not depart ; give ye them something 
to eat,” answered Jesus. 

Filled with dismay, the disciples looked at one 
another. Then one of them spake, saying, — 

“ Lord, two hundred pennyworth of bread will 
not be enough for them, though every one eateth 
only a little,” — for there were about five thou- 
sand men, not counting the women and children. 
“ Shall we go into town and buy two hundred 
pennyworth of bread, and give it to them to eat? ” 

“How many loaves have ye? go and see,” 
replied Jesus. 

Soon Simon Peter’s brother returned. 

“ Lord, there is here a lad who hath five barley 


The Loaves and Fishes . 


*63 


loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they 
among so many?” he added, despairingly. “ We 
have nothing more ; unless we go and buy meat for 
all these people.” 

“ Bring me the loaves and fishes.” 

And the wondering disciple brought them, and 
laid them at Jesus’s feet. 

“ Bid the people sit down upon the grass.” 

When all were seated, Jesus, taking the bread 
and fish in his hands, looked up to heaven, and 
blessed them, and gave thanks. Then, breaking 
them in pieces, he gave to each of his disciples, 
that they might serve the people. 

Levi watched the disciples, with intense interest, 
as they moved about among the throng giving to 
each one a piece of bread and fish. He never for 
a moment doubted Jesus’s power to feed them all 
uppn those few loaves and two small fishes; and yet 
he noted, with anxious concern, how small was the 
portion given into the hands of each of the disciples. 

Keeping his eyes fixed upon Simon Peter, he 
watched him as he moved from one to another, each 
one helping himself and his friends bountifully from 
the small store ; yet Levi noted, with swelling heart, 
that the bread and fish neither gave out, nor even 
grew less in quantity. 

Two men seated near him, filled with unbelief, 
began to jeer and laugh at Jesus for attempting to 
satisfy the hunger of the multitude on what they 
themselves could eat and yet remain unsatisfied. 


164 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


As the meal went on, however, their wonder 
and astonishment increased, and they began to 
whisper to those about them, — 

“ This man is indeed Beelzebub, the prince of 
devils.” 

Levi turned upon the chief speaker, his indig- 
nation showing in his speech and flashing eyes 
as he exclaimed, — 

“ The prince of devils, sayest thou ? Satan him- 
self hath laid his hand upon thine eyes, and 
breathed upon thine heart, fearing that thou might- 
est see and believe on him who is indeed the Son of 
God. Look on him ! ” he continued passionately; 
and in silence they turned and gazed upon Jesus, 
who stood looking with tender interest upon the 
seated multitude. It seemed to Levi that the light 
of the fading day gathered round, and encircled 
that divine presence, and that the face so full of 
compassion was like to the face of God in heaven. 

When the people had finished eating, Jesus said 
to the disciples, — 

“ Gather up the pieces of bread and fish, that 
nothing be wasted ; ” and when they had obeyed, lo, 
there remained enough to fill twelve baskets full ! 
And they were amazed, as were all the people. 

“ Truly, this is that Prophet that God promised 
unto Israel,” the people said among themselves. 
“ He must sit upon the throne of David. Let us 
take him by force, and make him king ! ” 

But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, 


The Storm. 


165 


sent them to their homes ; and, leaving his disciples 
to return to Capernaum by boat, he went up into 
the mountain alone, to talk with God. 

Levi kept close beside Judas. It was growing 
late. Even as they enter the boat and push from 
the shore, the short twilight fades, and it is night. 
When they are well out in the lake, a great wind 
comes sweeping down upon the sea, and, meeting 
them, it buffets them ; it almost overwhelms them ; 
it drives them back. Taking to the oars, the 
strong men work with all their might, the oars 
quivering and bending under the strain put upon 
them; but it is all in vain, they make no headway. 
And now, lashed into fury by the raging wind, 
great waves begin to roll and toss the spray from 
their crests high in the air; and the boat with its 
living freight lies a helpless thing, at the mercy of 
the angry sea. There are not many words spoken ; 
the roar of wind and wave make speech well- 
nigh impossible. Levi creeps to the after part of 
the boat, seeking the bench upon which Jesus so 
lately slept, and finding it, throws himself face 
down upon it. 

“Oh, why did he send us hither alone?” he asks 
himself. “ Doth he not care if we perish? He who 
can read men’s hearts, and knoweth all things, 
must know our danger and distress. But what 
said he unto me, when, coming to him at Caper- 
naum, I laid the life he had returned unto me at 
his feet? Was it not that I was to trust him 


1 66 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


always, and to have faith in his power to help in 
time of trouble? Ay, and I will trust him and — ” 
a wild cry mingles with the howling of the storm. 
Startled, Levi raises his head and listens. Surely 
that is Simon Peters voice ! Again he hears it, 
now from many voices ; and it is unmistakably a 
cry of fear. Rising, falling, crawling, he makes 
his way to the disciples. The idle oars, fastened 
to the boat by leathern thongs, are urged hither and 
thither by the angry waters. The disciples bend 
forward, their eyes fixed upon some object far out 
in the dashing spray and mist of the storm. Turn- 
ing his head, and following their gaze, a soft radi- 
ance meets his eyes, — a something that parts the 
blackness of the night as it moves gently toward 
them. As it nears the ship, it takes the shape of 
a spirit, or a man, enveloped in soft shining as a 
mantle, walking upon the waters. And now there 
comes to them a voice from out the storm, saying, 
“Be of good cheer: it is I ; be not afraid.” Ah, 
that beloved voice ! Levi knows it at once, and, 
stretching out his arms, he cries, — 

“ Rabbi ! ” 

But Peter impulsively calls to him, — 

“ Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee on 
the water.” 

And he answers, “ Come ! ” 

Quickly leaving the boat, Peter stands upon the 
tossing sea. A few steps he takes toward Jesus, 
when, lo, the wind, for an instant quiet, rushes 


Jesus calms the Storm . 


167 


down upon him. The angry waters toss their 
blinding spray into his face ; the waves roll under 
his feet. He looks away from Jesus, and remem- 
bers that he stands upon the sea, and then imme- 
diately begins to sink. 

Filled with a great fear, he cries, 

“ Lord, save me ! ” 

Stretching out his hand, Jesus takes Peter, and 
says, — 

“ O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou 
doubt?” then enters the boat, still holding him 
that he sinks not. 

The people who are with the disciples in the 
boat, receive him gladly, and, worshipping him, 
say, “Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” 

And when Levi thinks again of the sea, and 
looks out upon it, behold, the wind has died away, 
the waters lie calm and still, the night is beautiful. 

The next day, many people sought for Jesus by 
the mountain, and, not finding him, they crossed 
the lake to Capernaum; and when they saw him, 
they asked in wonder, — 

“ Rabbi, when earnest thou hither? ” 

Jesus did not answer their question, but said, — 

“ Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, 
but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were 
filled. I am the bread of life : he that cometh to 
me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on 
me shall never thirst;” but he added sadly, “ as I 
have before said unto you, ye also have seen me, 
and believed not,” 


1 68 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


Then were many of the Jews angry with him, 
because he said, “ I am the bread which came 
down from heaven.” “Is not this Jesus, the son of 
Joseph? How is it then that he saith, ‘I came 
down from heaven?’” 

“Verily, verily, I say unto you,” said Jesus, 
continuing his teaching, “ He that believeth on me 
hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. 
Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and 
are dead. This is the bread which cometh down 
from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not 
die. I am the living bread which came down from 
heaven : if any man eat of this bread, he shall live 
forever: and the bread that I will give is my 
flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” 

Some of the people when they heard this, were 
displeased with him ; they liked not his teaching, 
and left him, saying, — 

“ We will hear thee no more.” 

Jesus turned unto the twelve disciples which 
stood by, and asked, — 

“ Will ye also go away? ” 

Peter answered quickly, — 

“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the 
words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure 
that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living 
God.” 

“I know not what to think of Jesus,” remarked 
Judas, irritably, as he walked with Levi in the 


Dissatisfaction of Judas. 


169 


early morning along one of the streets of Caper- 
naum. “ I had thought that long before this, he 
would have gone up to Jerusalem and proclaimed 
himself king. The people were at first ready, nay, 
willing to accept him as such ; and, as thou knowest, 
at one time they thought to take and place him 
upon the throne of David by force. But now, 
with his teaching and practices, so different from 
the teaching and laws of the Jews, the priests and 
scribes and Pharisees hate him, and are lying in 
wait to catch him; even his disciples, many of 
them, have left him. I myself have almost been 
tempted to leave him,” he added, looking at Levi 
with a frown. 

“ O Judas, thou couldst not leave him, — thou, 
one of his chosen disciples ! ” exclaimed Levi, 
earnestly. “ Thou lovest him ; is it not so?” 

“ I am not so sure,” replied Judas, slowly, now 
speaking without restraint. “ But one thing I do 
know : I want him to sit upon the throne of David ; 
I want place, and power, and money. What 
thinkest thou that we, the twelve, can do when we 
are grown old and feeble? Have we not given up 
all our substance to follow Jesus? Thou knowest 
that I carry the bag ; and ofttimes there is naught 
within it, save the smallest coin.” 

“ But if thou hast Jesus, thou hast all things ! ” 
cried Levi, eagerly. “ Hath he ever left thee to 
suffer from hunger?” 

“ Nay,” returned Judas, reluctantly, “ we have 


170 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


never suffered; though many times we have 
waited long for food.” 

“That is common to us all,” returned Levi, 
scornfully ; “ but hast thou wanted for clothing ; or 
in sickness, hast thou not received his healing 
touch; and in danger and distress, hast thou not 
always found him near to help thee, even walking 
upon the raging sea to come unto his friends, lest 
without him they perish in the storm? O Judas! 
Judas ! Thou art beside thyself, when thouthinkest 
of parting with such a friend ! ” 

“ Ezra seeth the matter as I myself do,” began 
Judas, sullenly. 

“ Ezra of Bethlehem? ” asked Levi, quickly. 

“Ay, Ezra of Bethlehem,” returned Judas. 
“ He is much in Jerusalem at the Temple of late, 
and he hath sure knowledge. Jesus’s following 
dwindleth away. The priests have sworn to put 
him to death ; then shall we be scattered. Ezra 
hath said to me, as a friend, ‘ Look out for thyself, 
Judas ; trust not thou to any man.’ ” 

“ Ezra is a traitor ! ” cried Levi, with flashing 
eyes; “and thou, Judas, wilt thou also become a 
traitor? ” 

“ Nay, I said not so,” returned Judas, uneasily. 
“ What I have said unto thee, I have said to thee 
alone ; ” and, turning abruptly into another street, 
he went out through the city toward the sea of 
Galilee. 




-/ 


XIV. 






ASA’S ILLNESS. — EZRA BECOMES A SPY.— A TRA- 
DITION OF THE ELDERS.— JESUS SPEAKS OF 
HIS DEATH. — PETER’S QUESTION. 


CHAPTER FOURTEENTH. 


E day early in October, Obed stopped 
on his way home from Jerusalem to see 
Asa, who had been sick for many weeks, 
and was now, despite all the physicians could do 
for him, very feeble. 

“ He tryeth hard to grow strong,” said Rachel, 
in answer to Obed’s affectionate inquiries ; “for his 
heart is set on going up to Jerusalem, for the 
coming Feast of Tabernacles.” 

“ To Jerusalem ! ” echoed Obed, in astonish- 
ment. “That will be well-nigh impossible ! ” 

“ So have we said unto him,” replied Rachel, 
sadly; “ but he ever answereth, ‘ Dissuade me not 
now, Rachel ; for I go not up again forever to wor- 
ship at the Holy City. God hath numbered my 
days ; and soon I shall sleep with my fathers/ ” 

“ Thinkest thou so, Rachel?” asked Obed, 
startled and disturbed. 

“ I know not with certainty ; but my fear is 
great,” she replied, wiping away a tear that rolled 
down her cheek. “ Since his visit to Jesus at 
Capernaum, he hath been so cheerful, and so help- 
ful, we had well-nigh forgotten his great age; but 




174 /to of Bethlehem and his Household. 


wilt thou not have speech with him, Obed? He 
will be glad to see thee.” 

On entering Asa’s room, Obed was dismayed at 
the marked change in his kinsman’s appearance; 
and Asa, reading in his face somewhat of his sorrow, 
said, with a smile, — 

“ It is well with me, Obed ; sit thou here, and 
tell me what thou hast seen and heard at Jerusalem. 
Knowest thou aught of Jesus?” 

“ He still remaineth in and about Capernaum,” 
replied Obed. “ Shall we not send unto him, that 
he may heal thee of thy disease, Asa?” 

“ Nay,” said Asa, smiling. “ Jesus hath not 
forgotten me; but I am old and well stricken in 
years, Obed, and now I do but cumber the ground. 
It is well I go unto the Father. What matter that 
we die, Obed, now that Jesus hath taught us the 
way of life, and we know that all who believe on 
him shall sit down in the kingdom of God with 
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? The house of Asa 
loveth the Son of God, Obed ; they will come to 
me.” 

“Thoulovest God the Father; thou fearest Him 
no longer? ” asked Obed, tenderly. 

“ Ay, once I feared Him. He stood afar off. 
He thundered His warnings and threatenings from 
the Mount of Sinai, clothed with fire and smoke. 
I thought Him a hard God, Obed, — one pleased 
with suffering and sacrifice. When Jesus came 
and taught us of the Father, I learned otherwise. 


E%ra becomes a Spy. 


175 


Then I saw Him loving and patient, long-suffering, 
calling unto us to repent and turn unto Him; and 
we would not. And when we suffered from our 
sin, we thought it a judgment, and called God 
hard and unforgiving. The calamities that came 
upon us were of our own bringing. We brought 
the trouble upon ourselves, Obed. 

“Hast thou heard aught of Ezra?” he asked, 
opening his eyes after a moment’s silence. 

“Ay,” answered Obed, reluctantly, “he hath 
been much in Jerusalem of late.” 

“What hath he to keep him in Jerusalem?” 
asked Asa, eagerly. “Is he seen at the Temple, 
Obed? I have feared for him,” he continued, as 
Obed did not answer. “ He hath been bitter in 
speech of late, when he heareth the name of God’s 
Son. I like it not; and I much fear for him, 
Obed.” 

“ Thou mayest well fear,” returned Obed, quietly, 
though with frowning brow; “for he hath sold 
himself to the priests and scribes at Jerusalem, 
and followeth Jesus as a spy, and listeneth to his 
teachings, hoping that he may hear that, which 
told unto the priests, will give them power to put 
Jesus to death.” 

“ Obed, thou art beside thyself ? ” cried Asa, 
starting up from his couch. “ Thou speakest, not 
from knowledge, but from hearsay; is it not so? ” 

“Nay, I speak from knowledge, Asa; but be not 
troubled, for Jesus hath many friends.” 


176 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Then he darkeneth my door never again,” ex- 
claimed Asa, passionately, not listening to what 
Obed was saying. “ And may the curse of the 
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob rest forever 
upon him who betrayeth His Son ! ” And, falling 
back upon his pillow, Asa lay with closed eyes, 
pale and motionless. 

Hastily calling Rachel, Obed said, — 

“ I fear I have given him news that he was not 
able to bear. Hath it done him harm, Rachel? ” 

“ Nay, it hath not harmed me,” returned Asa, 
rousing himself. “ But sit thee down again, Obed, 
and tell me what thou hast heard in Jerusalem 
about Jesus’s teachings.” 

“ There is not much but that thou knowest, save 
perhaps his last encounter with the scribes and 
Pharisees,” began Obed, seating himself. “ Thou 
knowest how our scribes and priests insist upon 
the oft washing of the hands ?” 1 

“ Ay,” answered Asa, “ it is one of the tradi- 
tions of the elders.” 

“ The Pharisees and scribes, and Ezra from 
Jerusalem, went to Capernaum to hear and entrap 
Jesus, and saw some of the disciples eating bread 
with unwashen hands. ‘ Why do thy disciples 

1 To wash the hands before eating was insisted upon as 
a religious duty. 

The Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their 
hands diligently, eat not, holding the traditions of the elders. 
Mark vii. 3. 


Jesus and the Scribes and Pharisees. 


77 


transgress the tradition of the elders,’ they said 
unto him, ‘ for they wash not their hands before 
they eat bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘Ye reject the 
commandments of God, that ye may keep your 
own traditions. Truly hath Esaias prophesied of 
you, “ This people draweth nigh unto me with 
their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but 
their heart is far from me,” ’ and he added, ‘ In vain 
do ye worship me, when ye teach the command- 
ments of men for the doctrines of God. Listen 
and understand : There is nothing that a man 
eateth that defileth him : but the things which come 
out of his heart, these defile a man. If any man 
have ears to hear, let him hear.’ 

“ Angry, and threatening evil, the Pharisees 
went away; and the disciples, disturbed and anxious, 
went to Jesus, and Peter, speaking for them, said, — 

“ ‘ Lord, we do not understand this saying of 
thine; explain unto us thy meaning.’ 

“ ‘ Do ye not see,’ answered Jesus, ‘ that that 
which entereth in at the mouth of a man cannot 
defile him ; because it entereth not into the heart? 
But the thoughts which a man speaks, which come 
forth from the heart, they defile a man. For out 
of the hearts of men come evil thoughts, murders, 
adulteries, fornications, thefts, covetousness, deceit, 
an evil eye, false witness, blasphemies, pride, fool- 
ishness. All these evil things come from within, 
and are the things that defile a man : but to eat 
with unwashen hands, defileth not a man.’ ” 


178 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Truly, this is a teaching come from God,” 
returned Asa; “but how unlike to the traditions 
of the scribes and elders,” he said thoughtfully. 
“ God hath indeed been long-suffering and merci- 
ful toward Israel, for verily we have worshipped 
Him with lips alone, while the hearts of the people 
have been filled with evil thoughts.” 

“John, whom I saw at Jerusalem,” began Obed, 
sadly, “ hath told me strange things. Jesus him- 
self hath said unto the disciples that he must 
suffer, and be rejected by the chief priests and 
scribes and elders. And he saith that he will be 
betrayed and delivered into the hands of men, and 
they shall kill him ; but although he die, he will 
rise again upon the third day.’ 

“ Thy speech is hard to understand, Obed,” 
exclaimed Asa, with great excitement. “ Meanest 
thou that Jesus, the Son of God, must die as men 
die, and be laid in the tomb? ” 

“Ay,” answered Obed, sadly; “he hath so 
said unto the disciples, and they are exceeding 
sorrowful. Full of wrath at the thought, Peter 
said unto him, ‘ Lord, this shall not be done unto 
thee ! ’ But Jesus rebuked him for the saying.” 

“But, Obed, what will become of Israel? Jesus 
hath taught the people not quite three years ; 
must they die then in their sins?” asked Asa, 
tremblingly. 

“ The God of our father Abraham alone knows, 
Asa; but of one thing I am sure, the time hath 


Asa's Lament over Israel . 


179 


been long enough for the repentance of all. They 
have seen and heard ; but, like Pharaoh of old, 
their hearts are hardened, and they will not 
come.” 

“ O Israel, my nation ! ” exclaimed Asa, bit- 
terly, stretching out his trembling hands, “ through 
long years thou hast besought God for deliver- 
ance. With great crying, by day and by night 
has thy complaint sounded in His ears. And, lo, 
He hath answered thee, and sent unto thee His Son, 
that he may teach thee the Father’s will; for in 
thy sin thou hast wandered afar off, and thy heart 
knoweth Him no longer. He would forgive thee 
thy sins, and heal thy body of disease, yet how 
hast thou received the precious gift? With hate 
and reviling and unbelief. And now thou wouldst 
kill him, the Son of God ! His blood will be 
upon thee, and God’s curse will rest upon thee and 
crush thee utterly and forever ! ” 

As his voice died away, Rachel, from the ad- 
joining room, beckoned to Obed ; and, rising 
softly, he left the room. 

“ Asa hath had all that he can bear, Obed,” she 
said in a whisper, as she wiped away her tears. 
“ He is weary and far spent. Leave him now, and 
return another day.” 

“ Master, who will be greatest in the kingdom of 
heaven? ” asked one of the disciples as Jesus one 
day came into the house. They had been disput- 


i8o Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


ing among themselves, each one thinking he him- 
self would be above his fellow. 

For a moment Jesus did not answer, then, seat- 
ing himself, he said, — 

** If any of you desire to be first, he shall be last 
of all, and the servant of all.” 

Bewildered, the disciples looked at one another, 
for they did not understand his meaning. 

Jesus turned, and, seeing a little child at play, 
called him ; and when he came near, Jesus took 
him in his arms and said, — 

“ Unless ye become as a little child, trusting, 
loving, and obedient, ye shall not enter into the 
kingdom of heaven; but he who humbles himself, 
and becomes like to this little child, he shall be 
greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” 

And when released from the clasp of those kind 
and tender arms, the boy, joyous and contented, 
ran back again to his play, not knowing that the 
kind friend he so much loved was Jesus, the Son 
of God. But his mother knew ; and she watched 
him at his play with eyes full of happy tears. 

“ Lord, how often shall my brother sin against 
me, and I forgive him?” continued Peter, — “till 
seven times?” 

And Jesus answered him, — 

“I say not unto thee until seven times; but 
until seventy times seven.” 

And Peter, amazed, pondered this saying in his 
heart. 


XV 


GOING UP TO JERUSALEM FOR THE FEAST. — THE 
CITY OF BOOTHS. — LEVI ASKS JESUS TO HELP 
HIS KINSMAN ASA. — ASA AND RACHEL. — THE 
LAST DAYS OF THE FEAST. — JESUS IN THE 
TEMPLE. — HIS INVITATION. 


CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. 


UDAS,” said Levi, as the disciples were 
making ready to go up to Jerusalem 
for the Feast of Tabernacles, “sawest 
thou a man with the scribes and Pharisees who 
came to hear Jesus yesterday, that looked like 
Ezra of Bethlehem?” 

“ Ay, I saw him, and noted the resemblance,” 
answered Judas, carelessly. This he said that 
Levi might think the man other than Ezra, for 
Ezra wished to keep his presence in Capernaum a 
secret from Levi. 

It was late when Jesus and his disciples started 
to go up to Jerusalem ; and, instead of going by the 
usual road, they took a shorter way, which led them 
through Samaria. When the day was almost spent, 
coming near a village, some of the disciples went 
on before, that they might make ready a place for 
Jesus to spend the night. But the villagers, when 
they were told that Jesus and his disciples were 
goingto Jerusalem for the feast, refused to let them 
stay. 

Provoked and full of anger, James and John 
returned to Jesus, and when they had told him, 
they said, — 




184 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Lord, shall we not command fire to come down 
from heaven and consume them ? ” 

“ The Son of man is not come to destroy men’s 
lives, but to save them,” replied Jesus, and they 
went on to another village. 

In Jerusalem, all was ready for the beginning of 
the feast. Near the Temple a magic city of green 
booths had sprung up almost in a night, — on the 
house-tops, in the courts, in the open spaces, and 
in the streets. Built of the branches of olive, 
palm, and myrtle trees, with their thick foliage still 
fresh upon them, they looked like green jewels set 
here and there in the white and brown and gray of 
the city of Jerusalem. When the breeze rustled 
their leafy walls, and the sunlight cast checkered 
shadows upon the rugs spread within, they made 
delightful resting-places. 

In the doorway of their booth, Obed, with Ruth 
and Esther, stood looking out upon the scene. 
The blazing sun was sinking slowly and majesti- 
cally in the west. The shadows, grown long and 
dark, lay quivering upon the ground, as though 
watching for a chance to spring up and run away. 
Softly, without a sound, the day fell asleep, and the 
stars, surprised at the suddenness of her going, 
crowded to the windows of the sky to look upon 
the earth. 

As Ruth and Obed turned to enter the booth, 
they were joined by Levi, who exclaimed, as he 
kissed his mother heartily: — 


At the Feast of Tabernacles. 


185 


“ Truly, that was a well-spent moment when I 
stopped to gaze upon the splendor of the going 
down of the sun.” 

“ Explain thyself,” said Ruth, looking with par- 
donable pride upon her son, now so stalwart and 
ruddy of appearance. 

“ Has Jesus come? ” asked Esther, eagerly. 

“ Nay, he hath not yet come to Jerusalem ; he is 
stopping near at hand,” returned Levi, smiling at 
her. Then, turning to his mother, he continued, 
“ Since midday have I wandered far and near 
among the booths to find thee, but no one could 
tell me where the family of Asa was. Weary and 
discouraged, I stopped to look upon the dying 
day, when, lo, not far away, between me and the 
setting sun, I saw thee, with Obed and Esther by 
thy side. With all haste I came unto thee.” 

“Art thou come from Capernaum with Jesus?” 
asked Obed, “ and sayest thou that he is not here, 
but is near at hand? ” 

“ Ay, near at hand.” 

“ The Jews have sought for him about the Tem- 
ple day by day, and complain greatly because they 
find him not,” continued Obed. “There is a divi- 
sion among the people, many declaring ‘ of a truth 
he is a good man,’ while others say, ‘ he deceiveth 
the people.’ ” 

“ It was so in Capernaum,” returned Levi, sadly. 
“ But tell me now about my kinsman, Asa.” 

“ He suffers not, Levi, but he groweth weaker, 


1 86 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


day by day. The physicians say, after a few 
weeks have passed away, we shall look upon his 
face no more.” 

“ But, mother,” said Levi, eagerly, “ there is no 
need of his dying. Jesus is not far away, and he 
can heal him with a word.” 

“ So we have said unto him, but he ever answer- 
eth, ‘ Nay, trouble not the Master. I am old and 
well stricken in years, and do but cumber the 
ground; it is well that I go unto my fathers.’” 

Levi turned away sad of heart, for Asa had 
been unto him as a father; and when the night 
was come, he tossed restlessly upon his blanket. 
Sleep he could not, for his thoughts were with 
his kinsman Asa. At last he raised himself and 
sat for a time in thought, as one whose purpose 
is not fully determined upon. Then, rising with a 
resolute air, he made ready, and swiftly passed 
out into the night, taking the road to Bethany. 
As he went, his heart turned with great longing 
to the Friend who alone could help him in this 
hour of need. Reaching the place where Jesus was, 
he found him, as he had hoped, alone. * Pausing 
at the door, Jesus saw him, and, with a smile of 
welcome, bade him enter. That smile of loving 
interest drew him as though it had been a cord, 
and, coming close to his Friend, as one who is 
sure of help and sympathy, he said, — 

“ When I left thee this morning, Rabbi, I went 
on to Jerusalem, and found there my mother and 


Levi asks Jesus's Help. 


187 


my kinsfolk, and now I have returned unto thee, 
for we are in sore trouble. Asa of Bethlehem, 
my kinsman, hath been sick with the fever. Now 
it hath left him; but his strength cometh not 
again, and the physician hath said soon we shall 
look upon his face no more. And when they 
besought him to send unto thee for healing,” con- 
tinued Levi, with a tremor in his voice, “ he an- 
swereth, ‘ Nay, trouble not the Master, for I am old 
and well stricken in years, and I do but cumber 
the ground.’ Therein he hath been mistaken, 
Rabbi, for he loveth thee, and the people, and liv- 
eth thy teachings in his life. The poor he looketh 
after, the widow and the fatherless receive his sym- 
pathy and help, and he is ever in the synagogue 
upon the sabbath day. Bethlehem hath need of 
my kinsman Asa. I do not ask thee, Rabbi,” con- 
tinued Levi, as Jesus spake not, — “I do not ask 
thee to give him long years of life ; I only ask that 
he may have the strength that goeth with his years, 
and that was his before the fever seized him.” 

As Levi finished speaking, he lifted his eyes to 
the face of his Friend, and was met by a look, the 
power and sweetness of which thrilled him through 
and through, and he answered, as one answereth 
a question, “ I do love thee with all my heart, 
Rabbi ; ” and bending, he laid, with caressing touch, 
his cheek and then his lips against Christ’s garment. 

When Levi set out upon his return to Jerusalem, 
he went with a light and happy heart. “Jesus 


1 88 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


gave me no promise,” he mused, as he went along, 

“ but I know that he will, nay, hath already, helped 
kinsman Asa.” Reaching Jerusalem, Levi threw 
himself upon his blanket, and was soon in deep 
sleep. The ringing blasts from the silver trumpet ( 
of the priest, who awakened the city unto prayer at 
the dawning of the morning, failed to rouse him. 
Ruth, when she went to his side and looked upon 
him, spake not, but came away and left him still 
sleeping. The noon-time meal was almost ready 
when he appeared. 

“ My sleep hath been over-long, mother,” he 
said, as he kissed her, “ why didst thou not awaken 
me? ” 

“Thou wast weary with thy journey from 
Capernaum, my son, and thy sleep hath done thee 
good, is it not so?” she asked, with a tender smile. 

“ Ay, I feel refreshed,” answered Levi, absently. 

“Thou hast something on thy heart, Levi; art 
thou in trouble, my son?” she asked at length. 

“Trouble, mother, nay,” said Levi, with an as- 
suring smile, as he looked at her. “ I was won- 
dering,” he added hesitatingly, “ if I had better 
not go to Bethlehem ere the day wanes, and help 
Uncle Asa and Aunt Rachel come up to Jerusalem.” 

Ruth gazed at him in astonishment. 

“ Thy kinsman Asa come up to Jerusalem ! why, 
Levi, he hath not the strength to walk from one 
room into another.” 

“ He hath strength now, mother, for, in the 


Levi goes to meet Asa. 1 89 


night, I went to the Master and asked that he 
might be made well.” 

“ And what said Jesus, my son? ” 

“ He promised me nothing, mother, yet I know 
that he hath given back to our kinsman Asa his 
lost strength.” 

“ Thou hast done wisely in this matter, Levi,” 
said Ruth, affectionately; “ God grant that thou art 
right in thy thinking, and that thy father’s brother 
hath been healed.” 

As soon as the noonday meal was over, Levi 
set out for Bethlehem. He had not proceeded far 
beyond the city walls before he descried in the 
distance two persons approaching Jerusalem. His 
heart beat high with anticipation and hope as he 
watched them, and, unconsciously quickening his 
steps, he hastened to meet them. They proved to 
be — could it be true, after all? — his kinsfolk 
Asa and Rachel. He noted, with swelling heart, 
Asa’s erect and vigorous bearing and Rachel’s 
tender, happy face. 

When he was come quite close to them, Asa 
exclaimed, — 

“ Verily, this is Levi! What art thou doing 
upon the way, my son, while yet it is the Feast of 
Tabernacles? ” 

“ I started for Bethlehem to help thee come up 
to the Feast,” replied Levi, with heightened 
color. 

“ To help me come up to Jerusalem ! ” repeated 


190 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


Asa, slowly. “ Didst thou not know that I was 
sick, ay, sick unto death? ” 

Levi did not answer, and Asa continued, as 
though in thought, — 

“ Last night I lay upon my couch, a helpless, 
useless cumberer, because of my great weakness ; 
life itself was fast becoming a burden I would fain 
be rid of. I could do nothing; even to meditate 
upon the mercies and goodness of Jehovah was 
more than I had strength for. As the night wore 
away, I fell into a deep sleep, and when the morn- 
ing was fully come, I awoke refreshed and strong. 
Arising, I began to dress, chanting meanwhile, as 
is my custom, a hymn of praise, hearing which, 
Rachel came and stood in the doorway. As I 
looked upon her, large-eyed and pale with fear, 
I remembered my past condition. * Rachel, this is 
the doing of God’s Son,’ I cried, as I went over 
and kissed her where she stood. Weeping, she 
clung about my neck. When she had stayed her 
tears, we both gave thanks to God for His great 
goodness. After we had broken our fast, we 
made ready and set out for Jerusalem.” 

As Asa finished speaking, he bent upon Levi’s 
expressive face a look of keen inquiry, and added 
slowly, — 

“It seemeth to me like unto Jesus’s healing word 
and touch. Sawest thou the Master, Levi? ” 

“ Kinsman Asa,” said Levi, trying hard to keep 
back his emotion, “ when I found my mother at the 


Asa and Rachel . 


191 


close of yesterday, and learned of thy condition, 
my heart lay heavy within me, and happiness 
departed from me. When the night was come, I 
sought my bed, but I could not sleep for thinking 
of thee and thy helpless condition. Knowing 
where Jesus was, I arose and went unto him and 
told him of thee, and asked him to help thee. 
Have I done that which is displeasing in thy sight, 
Uncle Asa? ” 

“Displeasing? Nay, my son,” replied Asa, 
laying his hand affectionately upon the lad’s 
shoulder ; “ thy love is precious unto me, and 
maketh my heart glad, as doth also the compas- 
sion and healing of the Son of God. May the 
God of our fathers bless thee, Levi, and when thou 
art old, give thee, in the hearts of thy sons and thy 
daughters, love like unto that He hath bestowed 
upon me.” 

The evening of the day upon which Asa and 
Rachel reached Jerusalem, none of the family 
went up to the Temple, although it was the night 
of the great illumination. Seated just within the 
wide and open entrance to their booths, they 
viewed it, itself, its courts and porticoes one blaze 
of golden light. And, as they looked, they spoke 
together in low tones of Jesus and the unbelieving 
Jews, the hatred of the priests and scribes, of 
Asa’s healing; and as they talked, the odor of the 
burned sacrifices, still hanging heavy in the air 
above the Temple, was wafted to them on the 


192 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


breeze, and the sound of singing and playing upon 
musical instruments came faintly to the ear. 

“ The people worship Jehovah, and offer sacri- 
fices unto Him,” said Asa, thoughtfully ; “ but they 
do it in their own way, and not as He hath com- 
manded. Jesus saith, ‘ Obedience is better than 
sacrifice.’ ” 

Early the next morning Asa with his family 
went up to the Temple, and to their joy they found 
Jesus there before them. He began at once to 
teach the people, and spake to them boldly, and 
without fear. Some of the city folk, having friends 
at the Temple, knew that the priests had been 
looking for Jesus, that they might take him, and 
when they heard him teaching, turned to Asa, and 
said in astonishment : — 

“Is not this Jesus, whom the priests seek to kill? 
He speaketh openly ; how is it that they lay not 
their hands upon him now?” 

And Asa answered, — 

“ Do the rulers know that this is indeed the very 
Christ?” 

All through that day Jesus taught the people, 
and many, hearing his words of love and warning, 
believed on him and worshipped him. Filled with 
joy because they had been shown the way of eter- 
nal life, they talked of him ; they urged their 
friends and others to seek the great Teacher and 
learn of him. Then came one who knew, and 
warned them not to speak openly, but guardedly, 


The Last Day of the Feast . 


193 


of their new-found hope and faith, because of the 
hatred of the scribes and priests. “ They not only 
hate Jesus,” continued this friend, “ but are watch- 
ing for an opportunity to take him. Just now, 
they are afraid the people will make too great a 
disturbance if they lay their hands upon him, for 
many are drawn by his preaching. But the rulers 
have sworn to stop his teaching. To-day Ezra of 
Bethlehem, a spy hired by the priests, hath been 
seen among the people; beware of him, for he 
meaneth mischief.” 

The last, the great day of the feast had come. 
Early in the morning the special sacrifices and 
offerings had been prepared. And now the priest, 
holding in his hand the golden pitcher, filled with 
water from the pool of Siloam, was ready to pour 
it upon the great altar of burnt-offering. The peo- 
ple watched him in silence, for it was to them the 
symbol of the Holy Spirit, poured out by God him- 
self upon His chosen Israel. When it was done, 
the low sweet tones of the flute were heard, and, 
blending with its music, arose the voices of the 
Levites as they chanted, — 

“ O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good : 

For his mercy endure th for ever. 

Let Israel now say, 

That his mercy endureth for ever.” 

And the people answered, — 

“ Praise ye the Lord.” 


13 


194 4 sa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


“ Let the house of Aaron now say, 

That his mercy endureth for ever.” 

And again the people answered, — 
“ Praise ye the Lord.” 

“ Let them now that fear the Lord say, 
That his mercy endureth for ever.” 

And the people answered, — 

“ Praise ye the Lord.” 


“ This is the gate of the Lord ; 

The righteous shall enter into it.” 

And the people answered, — 

“ Praise ye the Lord.” 

“I will give thanks unto thee, for thou hast an- 
swered me, 

And art become my salvation.” 

And the people answered, — 

“Praise ye the Lord.” 

“ The stone which the builders rejected 
Is become the head of the corner.” 

And the people answered, — 

“ Praise ye the Lord.” 

“ This is the Lord’s doing ; 

It is marvellous in our eyes.” 


Jesus in the Temple . 


195 


And the people answered, — 

“ Praise ye the Lord. ” 

“ Save now, we beseech thee, O Lord : 

O Lord, we beseech thee, send now prosperity.” 

And the people answered, — 

“ O Lord, send now prosperity.” 

“ Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord : 
We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.” 

And the people answered, — 

“ Praise ye the Lord.” 

“Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto 
thee : 

Thou art my God, and I will exalt thee.” 

And the people answered, — 

“ Praise ye the Lord.” 

“ O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good : 
For his mercy endureth for ever.” 

And the people answered, as they waved their 
palm branches toward the altar, — 

“ For his mercy endureth for ever.” 

And Jesus, standing in the temple, cried with 
a loud voice, “ If any man thirst, let him come unto 
me and drink.” 


196 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


Startled and curious, the people turned and 
gazed upon him as he stood. Then a wave of 
intense emotion swept over the vast assembly; 
and there arose a murmur like unto the distant 
roar of waves beating upon the seashore. Long- 
ing, love, indignation, and hate were freely mingled. 

“ Ay, Lord, most gladly will I come unto thee 
if I may but quench this thirst — ” 

“ Of a truth, this man is a prophet,” broke in 
a Galilean, standing beside Obed. 

“ Nay, he is more than a prophet; he is the Son 
of God,” responded Obed; “and he hath spoken 
truly, for he hath given unto us that were athirst 
this living water, and — ” 

“The Christ! sayestthou?” cried a merchant of 
Jerusalem, scornfully; “ shall Christ come out of 
Galilee ? Hath not the Scripture said that Christ 
cometh from out the town of Bethlehem, and that 
he belongeth to the family of David? Nay, this 
is not the Christ ! ” 

“ Hath he not a devil? ” hissed Ezra, in the 
ears of a Pharisee. “ See how he deceiveth the 
people ! ” 

When the officers, who were sent out to take 
Jesus, returned without him, the chief priests and 
Pharisees said unto them, — 

“ Why have ye not brought him? ” 

“ We could not lay hands upon him, for never 
man so spake as this man,” they answered. 

“Are ye also led astray?” they cried, in scorn. 


Unbelief of the Jews. 


19 7 


“ Have any of the rulers, or of the Pharisees be- 
lieved on him? Only the poor and ignorant have 
aught to do with Jesus of Nazareth ! ” 

“ Doth our law judge any man before it hear 
him? ” asked Nicodemus of the Sanhedrin, boldly. 

“Art thou also of Galilee? Search and see; 
for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet,” they an- 
swered, with a sneer. 

And the family of Asa returned to Bethlehem 
with heavy hearts, because of the hatred and un- 
belief of the Jews. 



XVI. 


THE CHAMBER OF HEWN STONES. — ADDRESS OF 
CAIAPHAS. — EZRA CRAVES AUDIENCE WITH 
THE HIGH PRIEST. — WHAT LEVI HEARD IN 


JERUSALEM. 


CHAPTER SIXTEENTH. 


HE morning of the gathering of the San- 
hedrin opened dark and stormy. Added 
to the discomfort of a driving rain, fitful 
gusts of wind whirled about the Temple buildings, 
ever and anon forcing to the ground the smoke 
rising from the great altar, then sending it broad- 
cast over the Temple courts. Many of the chief 
priests and Pharisees were already gathered to- 
gether, in the Chamber of Hewn Stones, to dis- 
cuss how they might put Jesus of Nazareth out 
of the way. 

When all was ready, the High Priest rose. 

“Venerable fathers and teachers in Israel,” he 
began, “ we can no longer blind our eyes to the 
harm done in Israel by the preaching of this Jesus 
of Nazareth ! He ever teacheth false and strange 
doctrines; he overturneth our laws, our religion. 
He hath attacked Moses and the prophets ! And 
yet, because of his miracles, the people run after 
him. Verily, Satan is his friend, and giveth him 
power to work his will. And now he hath raised 
from the dead Lazarus of Bethany ! The city 
palpitates with the news, and many there are who 
believe on him because of it, even from among the 



202 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


Pharisees. It is even whispered that several of 
our own august body have followed after the Naza- 
rene,” he added contemptuously, glancing around 
upon the empty seats. 

“ Ay, but, Rabbi, Lazarus had been dead four 
days, and it was a great miracle ! ” 

“ What shall we do? ” continued the High Priest, 
ignoring the interruption. “ If we leave him alone, 
soon all men will run after him and believe on him; 
and when we restrain them, for, as it hath been said, 
he teacheth not our laws and doctrines, it will cause 
an uproar, and the hand of Tiberius the Emperor 
will fall heavily upon us. Shall we sit then day 
after day in idleness, and watch our power depart- 
ing from us ? ” 

When the excitement caused by his words had 
somewhat abated he contipued, — 

“ Thou knowest what measures we have taken, — 
how we have sought to entrap him, through the 
questions of our learned men in the Temple and 
elsewhere; but he ever answereth discreetly, and 
because of the people, we cannot lay hands upon 
him. Is it not better, then, that one man die than 
that the whole nation perish? ” 

And they answered, as it were, with one voice, — 
“ It is better that one man die.” 

“Ezra of Bethlehem craveth speech with the 
High Priest,” announced a Temple officer at the 
door. 

“ Bid him enter,” answered Caiaphas, quickly. 


E%ra before the High Priest. 


203 


And when Ezra had entered, and stood before 
him, he inquired eagerly, — 

“What news bringest thou?” 

Ezra bowed low before the High Priest, as he 
answered, — 

“We have found a man among the disciples, 
Rabbi, who careth more for money and the power 
that it giveth, than he doth for Jesus of Nazareth. 
His name is Judas Iscariot. When first he heard 
of Jesus,” continued Ezra, as the High Priest did 
not speak, “ he believed him to be Israel’s long- 
promised king, destined to sit upon the throne of 
David, and rule Israel from the Palace at Jerusa- 
lem. Believing also that his disciples would be 
given places of great honor in his kingdom, he 
gave up his living, and became a disciple. But 
Jesus hath ever taught and lived among the poor 
and lowly, and Judas, now awakened from his 
dream of power and greatness, is a sorely disap- 
pointed and embittered man. If money enough 
were offered him, Rabbi, he could, and we believe 
he would, put Jesus into thy hands, for he knoweth 
all his comings and his goings.” 

“Where is Jesus now?” asked the High Priest, 
thoughtfully. 

“ He is still in Bethany, Rabbi, where the people 
flock to listen to his teachings, and see Lazarus, 
who was raised from the dead.” 

“ Hast thou other commands for me, Rabbi?” 
asked Ezra, as the High Priest remained silent. 


204 dsa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Nay, not to-day. Thou hast done well ; and we 
will see thee again about this matter.” 

Feeling that he had been dismissed, Ezra bowed, 
and turned to leave the room. 

“ Stay ! ” exclaimed the High Priest, imperiously ; 
“ where is this Judas Iscariot to be found? ” 

“ At present, he lodgeth in the city with Simon 
the Tanner, near to the under gate.” 

With a slight motion of his haughty head, 
Caiaphas turned away, and Ezra passed quickly 
out into the storm. 

The short Eastern twilight had come and faded } 
and still the little family at Bethlehem reclined 
about the table spread for the evening meal. They 
had long finished eating; yet they talked and 
waited. Ruth, hearing some one approach the 
house, arose, and, going to the lattice, listened; 
but the sound of the footsteps quickly died away in 
the distance ; they made no pause before Asa’s door. 

“ Asa,” she exclaimed nervously, “ Levi was to 
have returned to Bethlehem by the noon hour. 
Jerusalem is beset with danger for a known lover 
and disciple of Jesus. My heart is filled with fore- 
boding ! ” 

“ Nay, thou hast no cause for fear,” replied Asa, 
confidently. “ Levi hath met a friend, or one of 
the disciples, and — ” 

“ Lo, even now he cometh,” cried Esther, spring- 
ing up as Levi entered. “ Aunt Ruth hath been 


Eqra and Judas Suspected. 


205 


‘bearing burdens’ on thy account,” she said, with 
an affectionate glance at her aunt. 

“ I am sorry, mother, very sorry, if I have caused 
thee unrest,” replied Levi, gravely. 

“ Sit down, Levi, and break thy fast,” said 
Rachel, “ and then thou canst tell us what happened 
to thee in Jerusalem. Hath anything gone amiss? ” 
she continued, anxiously, noting for the first time 
Levi’s sober face. “ Hath anything happened unto 
Jesus?” she added, quickly. 

Levi shook his head as he answered, — 

“ I started to leave Jerusalem at the time ap- 
pointed, going somewhat out of my way in order 
to obtain from the Syrian merchant a little basket 
of the sugared figs Cousin Esther is so fond of — ” 

“ Where are they, Levi?” she asked, laughingly. 

Levi extended his hands and shrugged his shoul- 
ders, as he continued, — 

“ As I neared the spot, I saw before me Ezra of 
Bethlehem and Judas Iscariot talking rapidly and 
earnestly together. Thou knowest how I feel to- 
ward Ezra; but Judas I fain would have had speech 
with, so quickening my steps, I overtook them. 
When I spake, Ezra looked over his shoulder with 
a start, and, seeing who addressed them, turned, 
and, without a word, went rapidly up a narrow 
street close by. Even Judas seemed disturbed 
and, not over glad, I thought, to see me. As I 
pressed him for the reason of his remaining in 
Jerusalem, when Jesus and the disciples had left, 


2 o6 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


he confessed it was all on account of his anxiety 
for Jesus’s safety. He told me that the mem- 
bers of the Sanhedrin held a secret meeting early 
this morning, and that they had declared that Jesus 
must die. They can bring about his death, they 
think, if once they can get him into their power. 
At this moment, he continued, they are looking 
for a man who knows the Master’s comings and 
goings, and who will give them the knowledge 
that they seek. So he had remained in Jerusa- 
lem to keep watch of the High Priest’s proceed- 
ings, and warn Jesus. When I asked him where 
Jesus was, he answered, in Bethany.” 

“ How did Judas know anything of a secret 
meeting of the Sanhedrin, and one that was held 
this morning? ” asked Asa, thoughtfully. “ He hath 
no friend or acquaintance among the priests ; he 
himself so said when in Bethlehem.” 

“ Father,” exclaimed Judah, excitedly, “Ezra is 
a spy as we know, hired by the scribes and priests 
at the Temple; and he hath, — mark my words, 
father, — he hath been sent unto Judas to ask him 
to betray Jesus into the hands of the priests and 
Pharisees ! ” • 

“Something in Judas’s manner, though I did 
not go as far in my thinking as thou hast done,” 
said Levi, “ troubled me ; and, after parting from 
him, I set out for Bethany; and, finding Jesus, I 
told him all. I saw that what I said unto the 
Master was not new to him,” continued Levi, sadly. 


The Disciples in Despair . 


20 7 


“ He answered that he would go away for a time ; 
for he must teach the way of life in other cities 
also. After that, he will return to Jerusalem; and 
when he comes,” — Levi drew his breath hard, — 
“ some one will deliver him unto the chief priests 
and scribes ; and they will mock him, and scourge 
him, and at last crucify him.” And, unable to 
control his emotion, Levi left the room. 

And when they understood his words, a night 
deeper, blacker, more fitful than the one outside 
the door, settled down upon the little family of 
Bethlehem. 





















.* 























XVII. 


14 


JESUS TELLS HIS FRIENDS OF HIS APPROACHING 
DEATH. — JUDAS ISCARIOT’S TEMPTATION. — 
THE SUPPER AT THE HOUSE OF SIMON OF 
BETHANY. — JUDAS ISCARIOT’S DECISION.— THE 
JEWS’ PASSOVER. — JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM. 
— ASA AND HIS FAMILY SPEND AN AFTER- 
NOON ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES. — LEVI’S 
ACCOUNT OF JESUS’S ANSWER TO THE SCRIBES 
AND PHARISEES. 


CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. 


FEW weeks before the Jews’ Passover, 
Jesus departed from the little town of 
Ephraim, where he had been stopping, 
and, with his disciples who had joined him there, 
set out for Jerusalem. 

The rainy season, which had been long and 
heavy, was now over, and the spring days were 
bright and beautiful. The roads were dotted here 
and there with little groups ’of people, like them- 
selves, going up to Jerusalem for the Feast of the 
Passover. As one after another learned who Jesus 
was, they joined themselves to his disciples, until, 
by the time they reached the Jordan, he was fol- 
lowed by a great company. Bidding the twelve 
disciples come a little aside with him, Jesus told 
them, as they walked, many things concerning 
himself: of his betrayal, his death, and resurrection. 

“ Three times hath Jesus spoken unto us of 
dying,” said John to Simon Peter, as Jesus fell 
back to teach the multitude. “ What meaneth he 
by death and resurrection? ” 

“ I cannot understand it,” answered Simon; “but 
one thing I know, — in going up to Jerusalem, he 
will be in great danger. The Pharisees are on the 



212 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


watch for him; and, Judas says, they have com- 
manded, ‘ If any man know of his abiding-place, 
he shall at once make it known to the rulers, that 
they may take him.’ ” 

“Dost thou not believe that he can take care 
of himself?” asked Judas, scornfully. “Is there 
anything he cannot do, even unto the raising of 
the dead? If the priests and scribes lay hold 
upon him, can he not escape them when he 
will?” 

Peter and John sought not to answer Judas. 
They believed that Jesus could do all things; and 
yet his manner, as he explained to them the things 
that would be done unto him in Jerusalem, — be- 
trayal, scourging, death, — appalled them, and their 
hearts remained greatly troubled and depressed. 

Judas, now grown moody and silent, moved a 
little away from them as he walked, and went with 
eyes fixed upon the ground. The singing of the 
happy birds, the beauty and freshness of the green 
covering of field and hill, the dancing shadows, the 
golden sunlight, he neither heard nor saw ; he was 
thinking only of the message sent to him by the 
High Priest Caiaphas, and brought to him by Ezra 
just before he left Jerusalem for Ephraim. How 
well he remembers it, not only the words, but the 
very appearance of the parchment as well; he 
seems to see it now, fluttering upon the ground 
before him as he walks ! Can Peter and John see 
and read it too? With a guilty start, he looks 


For Thirty Pieces of Silver . 


213 


toward them. No, they are intent upon something 
else; and Judas, with a sigh of relief, turns again 
to his own thoughts, and the words already burned 
so deep into his soul. 

“ If thou wilt deliver this Jesus of Nazareth into 
the hands of the High Priest Caiaphas, then will 
the High Priest deliver into thy hands thirty pieces 
of silver.” 

“Shall I not do it?” he asks himself. “There 
will be many opportunities when we reach Jerusa- 
lem. If Jesus could not save himself, it would be 
another matter ; but, though they bind him with 
cords, he hath only to speak the word, and he is 
free. Have I not a right to look out for myself? 
Of one thing I am confident, he will never sit upon 
the throne of David. With thirty pieces of silver, 
I can go away, live in comfort, and get something 
out of life. I am weary of following him. Ah, 
why did I join his disciples? ” 

So, through the long hours of the day, he 
thought and reasoned, until near the setting of the 
sun, when they came to Bethany, where they were 
to pass the night. 

The next day, as there were still several days 
before the feast at Jerusalem, Simon of Bethany 
gave a supper for Jesus and his disciples, and 
invited Lazarus. Martha, Lazarus’s sister, helped 
with the serving of the meat. But Mary was very 
sorrowful; for Jesus had spoken to his friends of 
his approaching death. She had among her pos- 


214 4sa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


sessions a beautiful flask of alabaster, filled with 
spikenard. It was very precious, worth more than 
its weight in gold. Longing to do something for 
*him, she brought the flask, and, breaking it, 
anointed his head and his feet, while the house was 
filled with perfume. 

The disciples looked on in astonishment, and 
murmured, “ What a foolish woman ! ” But Judas 
Iscariot was angry. 

“Why was this great waste?” he cried. “This 
flask of spikenard ought to have been sold, and the 
money given to the poor ! ” 

But Jesus answered gently, — 

“ The poor ye have with you always, and, when- 
soever ye will, ye can do them good. But me ye 
have not always. Mary hath done what she could ; 
she hath anointed my body aforehand for the 
burying.” 

And the disciples, save Judas Iscariot, touched 
to the quick, answered him not a word. 

When the twilight had faded, Judas Iscariot, 
tormented by conflicting thoughts, arose and went 
out into the night, thinking, perchance, he might 
determine upon a course of action. As he passed 
near a clump of trees, set back somewhat from 
Simon’s house, some one hidden within their shade 
exclaimed, softly, — 

“ ’St thee, Judas ! ” 

Surprised, Judas turned, as Ezra cautiously 
emerged from his shelter. 


The Decision of Judas. 


215 


“ I have been watching the house, hoping to see 
thee,” he whispered, hurriedly; “ for I am sent to 
seek thee. The priests at the Temple are in a 
great ferment. The pilgrims who journeyed with 
Jesus from beyond the Jordan have reached Jeru- 
salem, and are asking, in the Temple and elsewhere, 
* Where is Jesus the great prophet?’ The Phari- 
sees are in despair. Caiaphas, who sent me in 
search of thee, told me to say unto thee these 
words: * Wilt thou enter into a covenant with me, 
and do that for which I have promised to pay thee 
thirty pieces of silver? ’ ” 

Judas did not answer, but stood in deep 
thought. 

“ It is a good sum of money, Judas,” whispered 
Ezra. “ It is wisdom for thee to look out for thy- 
self. Will Jesus provide for thee? The scribes 
and Pharisees are certain to have him before many 
days. This is thy chance, Judas; wilt thou not 
make use of it? ” 

“ Ay, I will make use of it! ” exclaimed Judas, 
with passion. “ Nothing comes of my serving 
Jesus, save hardship and toil. I crave money 
and a life of ease, and I will have it! I have 
decided. Thou mayest so tell the High Priest.” 

“ Thou hast decided wisely, Judas. Come to 
the palace of the High Priest, and the money will 
be paid thee. Now will I hasten to the Temple, 
and carry unto Caiaphas the good news.” 


2 i 6 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


For the first time in his long life, Asa looked 
forward to the Jews’ Passover with a feeling of 
dread and unhappiness. Obed had heard, through 
a friend at the Temple, of the action of the rulers 
concerning Jesus. What might not take place 
during the Feast of the Passover! He dreaded to 
think upon it. Therefore it was with heavy hearts 
that the family prepared to go up to the Holy City. 

Levi, anxious and excited, went to Jerusalem 
several days before the rest. He was glad when 
he learned that Jesus was not in the city. 

One day as he was going to the Temple, he met, 
coming down the road, a large company of 
strangers, pilgrims who had come up to Jerusalem 
for the feast, with here and there a number of 
Pharisees and priests among them. Stepping one 
side, that they might pass, he caught a glimpse 
of Ezra among the crowd. He caught only a 
glimpse before the face disappeared. Could he 
have been mistaken? — he asked himself. What 
is Ezra doing among this crowd of worship- 
pers? Turning to one of the passing men, he 
inquired, — 

“Whither art thou going?” 

“ To meet Jesus, the great prophet of Nazareth,” 
replied the man, not pausing in his walk. “ He 
cometh from Bethany, and is now nigh unto 
Jerusalem.” 

Without a word, Levi turned and joined the com- 
pany. Down through the valley and up the Mount 


“Hosanna in the Highest 


21 7 


of Olives, they climbed with eager steps. As they 
neared the top, shouts of joy, as though from many 
voices, were borne to them upon the air. At the 
sound, the smouldering enthusiasm of the great 
company burst into a flame, and, stopping to cut 
branches from the palm-trees along the way, they 
moved hurriedly upward and onward, making the 
air resound with answering shouts of joy. 

When they met Jesus, and the great multitude 
with him, they turned round, and, with a shout of 
triumph, cried, — 

“ Hosanna to the Son of David ! Blessed is he 
that cometh in the name of the Lord ! ” And 
they spread their garments and the palm branches 
they had cut in the road, for it was rough and 
rocky, all the time shouting, “ Hosanna in the 
highest ! ” 

When the priests and Pharisees saw and heard 
this, they could endure it no longer. Sullen and 
enraged, they pushed their way through the crowd 
to Jesus’s side, — they could see him above the 
people, for he alone rode, — and cried, — ■ 

“ Rebuke thy disciples, and command them to be 
silent.” 

But he would not rebuke them ; and they left 
him, and hastened to Jerusalem. 

“ Perceive ye how we avail nothing?” they 
asked the High Priest. “ Behold, the world has 
gone after him ! ” 

When Jesus came to Jerusalem, he entered as a 


2 i 8 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


king enters ; and the whole city was aroused at his 
coming. 

“Who is this? Who is this?” they inquired 
eagerly, crowding to the windows and the doors, 
that they might look upon him as he passed. 

“This is Jesus, the great prophet of Nazareth,” 
* answered the multitude. 

When the evening was at hand, he returned 
with his disciples to Bethany, where he spent 
the night. 

It was early the next morning when Asa went 
up to the Temple, but he found Jesus already there. 
He had again driven from its sacred courts the 
sellers and buyers of merchandise, and was heal- 
ing the lame and blind that flocked about him, 
when Asa entered. 

There were many children in the courts that 
morning; and when they looked into Jesus’s face, 
they began to sing, “ Hosanna to the Son of David ! 
Hosanna to the Son of David ! ” as their fathers 
had done the day before. Asa watched the priests 
and scribes as they went about with scowling faces. 
“ How they hate Jesus,” he said to himself ; “ but 
they dare not touch him in the Temple,” and the 
thought gave him a feeling of relief. 

Two days before the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 
Asa and his family went, one afternoon, to a gar- 
den on the Mount of Olives. 

“ The city seemeth like a prison,” said Asa. “ I 


Jesus and the Scribes. 


219 


long for the smell and sight of the olive-trees and 
the green earth.” 

“ This is a very peaceful and pleasant place,” 
said Ruth, seating herself. “ I wonder not that so 
many people come hither. Listen to the Brook 
Kidron ! It is singing its own requiem before it 
vanishes away under the heat of the summer sun.” 

“Uncle Asa,” said Levi, suddenly, “wast thou 
in the Temple when Jesus answered the scribes 
and Pharisees who sought to entrap him with 
their questions?” 

44 I know not, Levi. To what questions dost 
thou refer?” 

44 The other morning, when he was teaching 
many people,” replied Levi, “ several priests and 
scribes came near, and, breaking in upon his words, 
said, ‘ Tell us by what authority thou doest 
these things, or who is he that gave thee this 
authority? ’ 

“ Jesus turned and looked at them, as he answered 
slowly, — 

“ 4 1 also will ask you a question, which if ye 
answer, I will likewise tell you by what authority 
I do these things.’ 

“ The scribes had spoken loudly so that the peo- 
ple might hear, and now all listened eagerly, as 
Jesus said, — 

“ 4 The baptism of John, whence was it, from 
heaven or of men?’ 

44 The scribes drew a little away from him, — they 


220 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


were close beside me, as I stood, — and whispered 
together, saying, ‘ The people believe that John 
was a prophet, and his baptism from heaven ; so if 
we say it was of men, the people will be angry, and 
if we say it was of heaven, then Jesus will ask us, if 
we knew it was from heaven, why have we our- 
selves not believed on him.’ ” 

A ripple of laughter mingled with the murmur 
of the brook, as Esther asked, — 

“ Did Jesus answer their question?” 

“ Nay, for the scribes said at last, ‘ We cannot 
tell thee whence it was.’ 

“ Another day they undertook to entangle him 
in this wise. Some of the Pharisees said unto him, 

‘ Master, we know that thou art true, and that thou 
carest not for any man, but teachest the way of 
God in truth. Tell us, therefore, is it lawful for 
us to give tribute unto Caesar or not?’ Thou 
knowest,” said Levi, “ that the priests say, if we pay 
tribute money unto Caesar, we own Caesar as 
Israel’s king and not Jehovah. Jesus said, ‘ Show 
me the tribute money ; bring me a penny.’ So they 
brought him a penny, and, looking at it, he asked, 
‘Whose is this image and superscription?’ And 
they answered, ‘ Caesar’s.’ Jesus said, ‘ Render 
therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, 
and unto God, the things that are God’s.’ Aston- 
ished and amazed, they could not say a word. Is 
there not hope that the priests and scribes will not 
be able to lay hands upon him after all? ” 


The Garden of Gethsemane. 


22 


“ Which of these gardens is called Gethsemane, 
Levi?” asked Esther. “Judas made mention of a 
Garden of Gethsemane, as a favorite resting-place 
of Jesus and his disciples, when in Jerusalem.” 

“ This is the garden of which he spake,” replied 
Levi. “See all these flowering bushes, Esther; 
are they not fragrant?” 

“ Ay, fragrant and beautiful ! I wonder not 
that Jesus loves this spot. But what is that yonder 
that looks so much like an olive-press? ” 

“ It is indeed an olive-press,” said Levi, laughing. 
“ It is needed here. These gnarled old trees bear 
many olives.” 




XVIII. 



SECRET MEETING OF THE SANHEDRIN. — EZRA 
AND JUDAS ISCARIOT SEEK THE HIGH PRIEST. 
— JUDAS ISCARIOT RECEIVES HIS MONEY. — THE 
PASCHAL SUPPER.— THE GARDEN OF GETH- 
SEMANE. — MARK’S STORY. — JUDAS ISCARIOT. 


CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH. 


IGH upon the hill of palaces in Jerusalem, 
priests, and scribes, and elders were at 
that same hour sitting in secret council, 
plotting how Jesus might be taken and put to death, 
without the knowledge of the people. 

“Thinkest thou that Judas hath failed to keep 
his word? Was he not coming to the council?” 
asked a scribe of the aged Annas, Caiaphas’s 
father-in-law. 

“ Nay, he will come ; something hath detained 
him.” 

At this moment, as if to make good the words 
spoken by Annas, Ezra and Judas were ushered 

in. 

Bidding them come forward, the High Priest 
turned to Ezra, — 

“ What news bringest thou ? ” 

“ Good news, Rabbi,” answered Ezra, making a 
profound obeisance ; “ half a score or more of men 
swear that they will testify to Jesus’s blasphemy. 
And this man,” turning to Judas, “is Iscariot, 
Jesus’s disciple, of whom I have before spoken unto 
thee.” 




226 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


The High Priest turned toward Judas, and, with a 
contemptuous glance, asked coldly, — 

“ How soon wilt thou deliver Jesus into our 
hands?” 

“ At the earliest moment, Rabbi.” 

“ And so thou wilt betray thy Lord,” remarked 
an aged priest. 

“ I call him not Lord,” replied Judas, angrily. 

“Go thou at once to the Temple Treasury, and 
weigh out thirty shekels of silver, and bring them 
unto me,” commanded Caiaphas, turning to one of 
the younger priests. 

Hastily he left the palace to do the High Priest’s 
bidding, and, returning, laid the money down before 
Caiaphas. Without touching it, the High Priest 
motioned Judas to come forward. 

Not waiting for a second summons, Judas 
stepped quickly to his side, and, picking up the 
silver pieces with eager haste, put them in his bag. 

With a wave of his hand, the High Priest said, 
imperiously, — 

“Now thou hast thy money, see to it that 
thou doest thy part promptly.” And, turning 
away, Caiaphas entered into conversation with his 
father-in-law. 

Judas left the palace of the High Priest over- 
come with rage. 

“ Is thy servant a dog ? ” he exclaimed, with 
passion, “ that he should be treated as such? ” 

“Nay, Judas, what carest thou about thy treat- 


Jesus speaks of his Betrayal. 


227 


ment; hast thou not thy money? Didst thou 
expect great honor at the hands of Caiaphas?” 
asked Ezra, laughing boisterously. 

But Judas, with an exclamation of anger, left 
him and walked quickly down the street. 

The sun was setting when, upon the first day of 
the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples entered 
the house of a friend of Jesus, where the Paschal 
Supper was spread for them. They came slowly, 
and with heavy hearts. All day long they had 
heard rumors of plotting priests and Pharisees, 
and they were filled with foreboding. 

Entering the house, they stood in little groups, 
and spoke together in low tones. At the sound of 
the twice-repeated blast of the silver trumpets, 
blown by the white-robed priests upon the Temple 
Mount, they hastened to take their places about the 
table. 

As they reclined, Jesus turned toward them, and, 
with a look of affection, said, — 

“ With great longing have I desired to eat this 
Passover with you before I suffer. Verily, I say 
unto you, one of you that eateth with me shall 
betray me.” 

“ One of us ! ” cried Simon Peter. “ Lord, thou 
canst not mean it ! ” 

0 One of the twelve shall betray me,” said Jesus, 
sadly. And, exceeding sorrowful and afraid, they 
whispered, one after another, — 


228 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Lord, is it I ? Lord, is it I ? ” 

“ The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written 
of him,” said Jesus; “but woe unto the man by 
whom the Son of man is betrayed ! Good were 
it for that man, if he had never been born.” 

Then Judas said, — 

“ Master, is it I ? ” 

John was reclining close to Jesus; and Peter, 
bending forward, whispered, in trembling tones : 

“ Ask the Master which of us it is.” And John, 
in a low voice, said, — 

“ Lord, who is it? ” 

“ It is he to whom I shall give a sop,” replied 
Jesus ; and, making it ready, he handed it to 
Judas Iscariot, saying, “ What thou doest, do 
quickly.” 

Judas arose, and went hastily out into the night. 
As no one knew what Jesus said to him, the dis- 
ciples supposed that he had been sent upon some 
errand. 

“Yet a little while I am with you,” began Jesus, 
as the door closed upon Judas. “Whither I go ye 
cannot come.” 

“ Lord, whither goest thou ? ” asked Peter. 

“ Whither I go thou canst not follow me now, 
but thou shalt follow me hereafter.” 

“ Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will 
lay down my life for thy sake” 

“ Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake, Peter? 
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not 


The Last Supper . 


229 


crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. All ye shall 
be offended because of me this night.” 

“ Though all men be offended because of thee,” 
exclaimed Peter, impetuously, “ yet will I never be 
offended. I am ready, Lord, to go with thee both 
unto prison and to death.” 

“ Verily, I say unto thee, Peter, that this day, 
even in this night, thou shalt thrice deny that 
thou knowest me ! ” 

“ Lord, though I should die with thee,” said 
Peter, vehemently, “yet will I not deny thee in 
any wise.” 

Jesus did not answer Peter, but reaching for the 
bread, took it in his hand ; and when he had given 
thanks, he broke it and, handing it to the disciples, 
said, — 

“ Take, eat, for this is the symbol of my body 
which is given and broken for you; eat this in 
remembrance of me.” 

After they had obeyed his request, he took the 
cup, and blessed it and, handing it to them, said, 
“ Drink ye of it ; ” and they all drank. 

Then said Jesus, — 

“ This cup is the symbol of my blood which is 
freely shed for you, and for many, for the remis- 
sion of sin. This do ye in remembrance of me.” 

In remembrance of Him! His body broken! 
His blood shed ! The strong men sat silent and 
despairing. 

“Let not your heart be troubled,” said Jesus, 


230 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


tenderly : “ ye believe in God, believe also in me. 
In my Father’s house are many mansions : if it were 
not so, I would have told you ; for I go to prepare 
a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place 
for you, I come again, and will receive you unto 
myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 
And whither I go, ye know the way. Even as 
the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you. 
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man 
lay down his life for his friends. This is my com- 
mandment, that ye love one another. If the world 
hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it 
hated you. They shall put you out of the syna- 
gogues; yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever 
killeth you shall think that he offereth service 
unto God. And these things will they do, be- 
cause they have not known the Father, nor me. 
In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good 
cheer ; I have overcome the world. Peace I leave 
with you; my peace I give unto you. Let not 
your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” 

And when Jesus had finished speaking, they 
went out, as they were wont to do, to the Garden 
of Gethsemane. 

“ Rememberest thou, mother,” said Judah, the 
morning after the Paschal Supper, as the family 
were partaking of the early meal, — “ rememberest 
thou how many questions I used to ask thee about 
the Feast of the Passover? I must have been a 


News of the Betrayal of Jesus. 


231 


little one,” he added, musingly, “ yet the impres- 
sion made upon me then, has lasted all these 
years.” 

“ Ay, I remember,” answered Rachel, smiling. 
“ When I taught thee about the different feasts 
and their meanings, thou wouldst ever return to 
the Passover, and beg for the story of that awful 
night, when God commanded the fathers in Israel 
to mark with the blood of the slain lamb their 
door-posts, and then await with closed doors the 
coming of the angel of death, who passed in 
silence through the land, and in the darkness smote 
the first-born of every household whose door-posts 
showed not the mark of blood.” 

“ And he used to be so afraid that some careless 
father might have forgotten to put the mark upon 
his door,” said Esther. “ How many tears have I 
shed over the awful possibility, as he dwelt upon 
it. But here cometh Mark of Jerusalem, Levi’s 
friend, what can he want at this early hour of the 
morning? ” 

Mark entered hastily, and, looking around upon 
the happy faces, cried, — 

“ Verily, thou canst not have heard the news ! 
Jesus was taken by the Temple guard last night, 
and is now being tried for his life at the palace of 
Caiaphas the High Priest ! ” 

“Taken! Last night !” exclaimed Asa. “How — ” 
“ Betrayed,” said Mark, bitterly; “betrayed by 
one of his disciples ! ” 


232 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“Judas Iscariot!” exclaimed Levi. “I know 
it was done by Judas Iscariot! ” 

“ Yesterday,” Mark continued, rapidly, “ Peter 
and John prepared the paschal lamb, and brought 
it, with the bitter herbs, and bread, and the things 
commanded, to my father’s house, where a room 
was made ready for Jesus and his disciples. 
Judas left the supper before it was ended; and the 
rest went out not far from the middle of the night. 
I had but just fallen asleep, when an armed band 
came to the door and demanded Jesus. Not find- 
ing him, they stood for a moment wrangling 
among themselves ; for there were scribes and 
elders, as well as soldiers and Temple officers, 
among the crowd. The soldiers and officers were 
armed with swords and sticks, and carried lan- 
terns and torches. From my room I heard much 
of what was spoken ; and when the Garden of 
Gethsemane was mentioned as a place where he 
might be found, I caught up my linen tunic, and, 
putting it on as I ran, I left the house by a back 
way, and went to Gethsemane as speedily as I 
could. The crowd went rapidly too, and was not 
far behind me. When I reached Jesus and the 
disciples, we could plainly hear the noise made by 
the coming of many feet. We stood within the 
garden, somewhat screened by the shadow of the 
trees. When the crowd reached a spot near to 
the entrance, they halted; and Jesus, leaving us in 
the shade of the trees, went forward alone to meet 


News of the Betrayal of Jesus. 


233 


them. Judas Iscariot was with the crowd ; and 
when he saw Jesus, he hurried to him, and kissed 
him many times, saying, ‘Hail, Master!’ Jesus, 
submitting to his caress, said, ‘Judas, Judas, be- 
trayest thou the Son of man with a kiss ? ’ then 
turning to the crowd, asked, calmly, — 

“ ‘ Whom seek ye? ’ 

“The soldiers answered, — 

“ ‘ Jesus of Nazareth.’ 

“ ‘ I am he,’ returned Jesus. 

“ If thou couldst have seen him, as he stood 
there in the moonlight, facing that crowd of angry 
men,” said Mark, with a tremor in his voice, — 
“ one man against so many, and yet so kingly in his 
bearing ! Even they were awed, and retreated a 
few steps ! 

“ A second time he asked them whom they 
sought. And when they answered as before, he 
said, ‘ I have told you that I am he. If, therefore, 
ye seek me, let these go their way,’ turning toward 
us. Then captain and officers took courage, and 
came forward to bind him ; when Simon Peter, hav- 
ing a sword, drew it, and, striking the High Priest’s 
servant, cut off his ear. Jesus stretched out his 
hand, and, touching the man, healed him as he said 
to Peter, ‘ Put thy sword again into its sheath. 
The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I 
not drink it? ’ Then, turning, he said to the priests 
and captain of the Temple, ‘ Are ye come out as 
against a thief, with swords and staves to take me? 


234 ^ sa °f Bethlehem and his Household. 


I sat daily with you in the Temple teaching, and ye 
laid no hold on me ; but this is your hour.’ When 
he had thus spoken, they bound him, and roughly 
led him away, and — and we all ran, every man think- 
ing only of himself,” said Mark, with averted face. 

“ Meanest thou that the disciples all forsook him 
and fled? Oh, how couldst thou! how couldst 
thou ! ” cried Esther, greatly distressed. 

“ They took him to Annas,” continued Mark, 
dejectedly, “ and, later on, to the palace of Caia- 
phas. Peter and John followed him afar off; and 
when they reached the palace, John, being known 
unto the High Priest, was allowed to enter; but 
Peter stood without at the door. When John saw 
that this was so, he spake unto the maid ; and she, 
going to the door, bade Peter enter into the palace 
court. Hastening home, I aroused my father ; and 
we went out to find some of Jesus’s friends, that 
they might witness for him. The priests had 
many witnesses against him ; but they called upon 
no man to say a word in his behalf.” 

“ But where were all the lame and blind and 
diseased ones that Jesus had healed?” cried Asa, 
excitedly. 

Mark shook his head. 

“ The trial was held in the dead of night.” 

Asa sank upon his seat with a groan. 

“ The false witnesses did not agree in what they 
said,” continued Mark; “ and Jesus was put under 
oath to give testimony against himself.” 


News of the Betrayal of Jesus. 


235 


“ This is not according to the law,” cried Asa, 
despairingly. 

“ ‘ Art thou then the Christ, the Son of God, the 
Son of the Blessed?’ demanded Caiaphas. 

“ ‘ I am,’ answered Jesus. 

“ When he heard this the High Priest rent his 
clothes, both his inner and his outer garment, and 
cried : ‘ He hath spoken blasphemy ; what further 
need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have 
heard his blasphemy. What think ye?’ 

“ And the Council answered : ‘ He is guilty of 
death.’ 

“ After that they rested until the coming of the 
morning, and, leaving Jesus in the hands of his 
guard, they went from the palace. And then,” 
said Mark, speaking with difficulty, “ never was 
the meanest prisoner treated as they treated him ! 
Tying a bandage over his eyes, one after another, 
they ran close to him, striking him with the palms 
of their hands, crying, ‘ If thou art the Christ, tell 
us who he is that smote thee?’ And they spit — 
in — his — face, and — mocked — him — and — 
and — ” Mark turned away his head. 

“ Why do we sit here? ” cried Asa, springing to 
his feet “ Can we not go at once before the San- 
hedrin, and testify? We can bring many of 
Jesus’s friends. The High Priest will, he must 
listen ! ” 

“ Nay, it is too late,” replied Mark. “ They have 
already pronounced him, * Guilty of blasphemy, 


2 36 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


and worthy of death.’ The Sanhedrin only await 
Pilate’s consent.” 

Asa fell back into his seat, while Obed, with 
Judah and Levi, hastily left the house. 

Judas stands alone near the entrance of Geth- 
semane. The last faint echoes of the crowd, carry- 
ing Jesus in their midst, are dying away in the 
distance. One by one, the disciples, creeping from 
their hiding-places, have followed, though afar off; 
and now Judas is alone, yet not alone, for the 
night is full of voices. He trembles as he listens. 
That noisy Kidron ! How the foaming of its 
hurrying, fretted waters grate upon his ear ! Hear 
it sob, and laugh, and chatter, gurgling, Judas ! 
Judas! Traitor! Judas! Traitor ! Traitor ! Traitor! 
until, shaking in every limb, he thrusts his fin- 
gers deep into his ears, and plunges into the 
shadows, that lie so dark and heavy on the 
mountain-side. 

In the gray and misty light of early morning 
he emerges, and, dishevelled though he is, he climbs 
with rapid steps the Temple Mount. 

“What hast thou done with Jesus of Nazareth?” 
he asks, with feverish haste, of a scribe, hurrying 
through the outer court. 

Pausing and gazing at him for an instant, a 
smile of recognition passes over the scribe’s face, 
and, rubbing his hands together, he exclaims, 
cheerfully, — 


Judas Begs the Release of Jesus. 


237 


“Verily, thou art Judas Iscariot! Thou hast 
done us great service in that thou hast given Jesus 
of Nazareth into our hands. Thy name will be 
long remembered.” 

“What hast thou done with him?” demands 
Judas, a second time. 

“ The Sanhedrin have condemned him, and judge 
him worthy of death.” 

Judas drew back, as though he had received a 
blow. 

“ Is there no hope for him? ” he asks, huskily. 

The scribe, with a look of curiosity, answers, — 

“ There is no hope for him.” 

Pulling from out his girdle, the bag containing 
the thirty silver shekels, Judas hurries to the 
Chamber of Hewn Stones, and, bursting in upon 
the Council, holds out, with trembling hand, to 
Caiaphas the money bag. 

“ Rabbi, take back thy silver,” he cries, beseech- 
ingly, “ and let Jesus of Nazareth go free ! His 
blood will be upon me; for I have betrayed 
him, the innocent one ! I have sinned ! I have 
sinned ! ” 

“ What is that to us? ” asks Caiaphas, scornfully ; 
“ thou shouldst have considered this in the begin- 
ning. Jesus of Nazareth is now in our power. 
Thinkest thou we will release him for thy demand- 
ing?” 

Without a word, Judas turns and leaves the 
room. Making his way to the inner court, where 


238 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 

no man ever enters, save the priests, he hurls, with 
all his strength, the thirty silver shekels upon the 
marble pavement, awaking echoes deep and long 
and loud within that sacred place, then rushes 
headlong from the Temple Mount. 


XIX 


JESUS CONDEMNED. — ASA, WITH RACHEL, ESTHER, 
AND RUTH, LEAVES JERUSALEM. — ASA’S LAST 
LOOK AT THE TEMPLE. — THE MIDDAY DARK- 
NESS AND THE EARTHQUAKE. — THE RE- 
TURN OF OBED AND JUDAH. — THEIR ACCOUNT 
OF PETER’S DENIAL, AND THE TRIAL AND 
DEATH OF JESUS. 


CHAPTER NINETEENTH. 


was yet early in the morning when 
Judah returned to his father. 

“There is no hope for Jesus,” he ex- 
claimed, hurriedly, “ he hath been taken before 
both Pilate and Herod. Neither the king nor 
the governor find aught to condemn in him. 
Pilate would have released him ; but the priests 
and scribes and people continually cry, ‘ Crucify 
him ! Crucify him ! * ” 

“ Pilate hath power to do what he will ; why 
then doth he obey the voice of the people?” 
asked Asa, anxiously. 

“ When Pilate would have released Jesus,” re- 
plied Judah, “the Jews cried, ‘If thou let this 
man go, then thou art not Caesar’s friend: for 
Jesus calleth himself a king, and whosoever 
maketh himself a king, speaketh against Caesar.’ 
When Pilate heard this, he was afraid ; for Caesar 
giveth to him his office, and he taketh it away 
at will. Tiberius will suffer no king to reign 
over the Jews, save him whom he appointeth. 
Sending for a bowl of water, Pilate washed his 
hands before them all, saying: ‘I am innocent 
of the blood of this just person.’ And they all 
16 



242 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


answered: ‘His blood be upon us and on our 
children/ ” 

Rachel shuddered. 

“ Pilate seemed anxious to let Jesus go,” con- 
tinued Judah, “and again tried the people, say- 
ing: ‘Ye know it is the custom that I release 
unto you a prisoner, at the Feast of the Passover. 
Whom will ye that I release unto you, Barabbas 
the murderer, or Jesus the King of the Jews?’ 
And they cried the more vehemently : ‘ Away 

with this man, and release unto us Barabbas ! ’ ” 
“Father, this is hard for thee to hear,” said 
Judah, tenderly, as he watched the tears falling 
down the old man’s cheeks ; “ wilt thou not take 
mother, Aunt Ruth, and Esther, and return to 
Bethlehem? I will remain with Obed and Levi 
until the end ; for there may be some little service 
we can render him. We can at least see to it 
that he receives burial,” said Judah, hesitatingly ; 
“ and when all is over, we will return to thee.” 

“ Let us go home, father,” cried Esther, coming 
quickly to his side. “Jerusalem is hateful to me. 
Oh, I cannot bear it, father ! I cannot bear it ! ” 
she cried, dropping on her knees, and hiding her 
face on her father’s arm. “ Let us go home to 
Bethlehem ! We may find God in Bethlehem, 
father,” she whispered, with a sob. “ He is not 
here; He hath left Jerusalem!” 

“ Let us go, Asa,” said Rachel, who was stand- 
ing near, — “let us go at once.” 


Asa's Last Look at the Temple. 


243 


“ Truly, thou art wise, Rachel, we will go,” 
answered Asa, rising. 

Quickly gathering their things together, they 
set forth, Judah accompanying them beyond the 
city gates. 

The narrow streets were filled with a tumul- 
tuous, angry throng. Curses, oaths, and Jesus’s 
name were heard on every hand. Esther kept 
close to her father's side, as they slowly made 
their way through the crowd. Once outside the 
gates, free from annoyance and danger, Judah left 
them ; and Asa turned and gazed long and sadly 
at the Temple upon the mount. How beautiful 
it looked to him on that spring morning! The 
snow-white marble of its walls gleamed and spark- 
led in the sun. The massive golden doors, behind 
which lay the Holy of Holies, Jehovah’s chamber, 
shimmered in the air like liquid sunshine. Upon 
the roof, each point of the thickly set golden 
spikes was tipped with a ray of rosy light. How 
he loved it all ! His eyes wandered over the mar- 
vellous gates and embattled towers of the inner 
court. The great brazen altar, with the morning 
sacrifice upon it, was sending its fragrant smoke 
high into the clear air. How dear it all was to 
his sorrowing heart ! 

Brushing away the tears that blinded him, his 
eyes rested long upon the royal porch of Solomon. 
How many precious memories gathered around 
this spot! Here, he had listened to Jesus’s teach- 


244 ^ sa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


ings. Here, he saw the blind man receive his 
sight. Over by that stately pillar, — he cannot see 
it now, but he knows just where it stands, — he 
watched with keenest sympathy the healed para- 
lytic take up his bed and walk. Here, too, Jesus 
stood, when he cried, “ If any man thirst, let him 
come unto me and drink.” He sees again the 
gracious presence of his Lord, the hands out- 
stretched in invitation, the divine compassion of 
his look, — the place whereon he stood is empty 
now, and he is being nailed upon the cross ! With 
a gesture of indescribable sorrow, he turns away. 
He never again went up to Jerusalem. 

Slowly the little party journeyed toward Bethle- 
hem, each one occupied with painful thoughts. 
As they reached the heights of Bethlehem, Esther, 
a little in advance of the others, became aware of 
a darkening of the sky. She had noticed the 
gloom, when first they began the ascent of the hill, 
but supposing it occasioned by the shade of the 
trees, under which they climbed, had given it no 
further thought. Now, though she stood upon 
high, open ground, it still continued, and she looked 
about with an astonishment mixed with fear. It 
was the noon hour, yet the light of day was rapidly 
disappearing. The clear atmosphere was taking 
on a sickly yellow hue that distorted and made 
hideous the beautiful landscape. A low-hanging 
black cloud, showing at its edges an angry, greenish 
glare, was rapidly covering the heavens. So 


Darkness over All the Earth . 


245 


rapidly it came, it was as though drawn along by 
invisible cords. 

“Father, father!” exclaimed Esther, in alarm, 
“ look at the sky ! What is going to happen ; is 
this a storm?” 

Quickening his steps, Asa, with Rachel and Ruth, 
soon left the shade of the trees, and stood at 
Esther’s side. 

“ Nay, Esther,” replied Asa, as his eyes scanned 
the heavens, “ this is not a storm ; it is the hand of 
Jehovah. His wrath is indeed great. Let us to 
our home, and die as die those who believe on 
Jesus, the Son of God.” 

Hastily they made their way toward the house; 
but at every step the darkness crowded upon them. 
The light breeze that had been blowing all the 
morning died away, and the air hung heavy and 
motionless. The frightened birds forgot to sing, 
and flew wildly from tree to tree. Even Nature 
seemed to hold her breath and listen. 

Reaching the shelter of the house, they entered 
and sat down together, and waited. Esther, seated 
upon the floor at her father’s feet, leaned her head 
against his knee. Oft, and caressingly, his hand 
sought and rested upon her head. 

“ Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that 
fear Him,” he murmured, softly, “and upon them 
that hope for His mercy. He looketh from heaven ; 
He beholdeth all the sons of men. He is our 
shield.” 


246 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


Slowly the hours passed. Suddenly the unnat- 
ural quiet was broken by a furious wind which 
swept over the land, splitting and hurling to the 
ground many of the old, wide-spreading olive-trees. 
It lasted but a moment. In the hush that followed, 
Asa’s voice, confident and clear, filled the little 
room. 

“ The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about 
them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” 

Esther burst into tears. 

“ Nay, my daughter, weep not, thou hast no 
cause for fear; for ‘Jehovah redeemeth the soul of 
His servants; and none of them that trust in Him 
shall be desolate.’” 

Again the wind rushed down upon them, fol- 
lowed quickly by a sickening, heaving, twisting 
motion of the ground. Deep and muffled rum- 
blings, mingled with sharp reports of splitting rock. 
Slowly the earth regained her calm. The sombre 
sky began to lighten. Nature breathed again. 

Still Asa and his family moved not. In hushed 
voices, with bitter grief, they talked long and ten- 
derly of Jesus, whom they loved, now hanging 
upon the cross. When the stars appeared, Rachel 
rose and lighted the Sabbath lamp. 

The evening was far spent, when Obed and Judah 
returned to Bethlehem. 

“ Levi hath remained in Jerusalem with Mark, 
for a day or two,” said Obed, anticipating Ruth’s 


The Repentance of Peter. 


247 


inquiry. “ Judah had anxiety concerning his father 
and thee/’ he said, turning toward Rachel. “ There- 
fore we returned to Bethlehem so soon as Jesus 
was laid in the tomb.” 

“Then all is over?” said Asa. 

“ All is over,” returned Obed, sorrowfully. “ This 
has in truth been a day marked by dreadful deeds.” 

“ Wilt thou not come to the table and break thy 
fast?” asked Rachel, looking at Judah’s pale face 
with anxiety, and then at Obed. 

“ Nay, mother, food would choke me, should I 
try to eat,” answered Judah, while Obed shook his 
head. 

“ Tell us about Jesus,” whispered Esther, lifting 
her tear-stained face toward Judah. 

“ I had speech with Peter after Jesus’s death,” 
said Judah, unsteadily. “ He was like to a man 
bereft of reason.” 

“ Because of Jesus’s death? ” asked Ruth, gently. 

“ Ay, and because of his denial of him. Three 
times last night did he deny that he knew Jesus, 
his more than friend. To unburden his heart gave 
him comfort ; and some new truths revealed he to 
me in the doing of it. Father, Jesus gave himself 
a willing sacrifice for Israel and the world ; and, not 
that only, but he took upon himself all our sins 
while hanging upon the cross ! ” 

“What sayest thou ; what meanest thou, Judah, 
my son? ” 

“ Last night,” began Obed, making an attempt 


248 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


to speak with unshaken voice, “ after the Paschal 
Supper, Jesus and the disciples went to Gethse- 
mane. Leaving the disciples, save Peter, James, 
and John, near the entrance to the garden, Jesus, 
with the three, went over among the trees. He 
was in great trouble, and said to them, ‘ My soul is 
exceeding sorrowful, even unto death : tarry ye 
here, and watch with me.’ When he had spoken, 
he withdrew himself a little from them, and kneeled 
down, then fell upon his face and prayed God that 
the hour might pass from him. He said, ‘ O my 
Father, all things are possible unto Thee; if it be 
possible, if Thou be willing, take away this cup from 
me : but,’ he added, ‘ not my will but Thine be done.’ 
And again he said, ‘ If this cup may not pass away 
from me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.’ ” 

“ Was he not speaking of his crucifixion, his 
sacrifice? ” 

“Judah, rememberest thou not,” broke in 
Obed, eagerly, “ how John the prophet said of 
him, * Behold the Lamb of God which taketh 
away the sins of the world? ’ ” 

“Verily, thou speakest truly, ” replied Asa; “ go 
on, my son.” 

“ The three disciples, tired, and heavy with 
grief, after watching a little while, fell asleep ; and 
when Jesus had finished, he cometh to them and 
said to Peter, ‘ Sleepest thou? What, couldst thou 
not watch with me one hour ! ’ And Peter could 
not answer him a word for shame.” 


Peter's Denial of the Lord. 


249 


A low sob broke from Esther. 

“ After Jesus had been taken by the mob, and was 
in the palace of Caiaphas the High Priest, — the 
Council met in a lower room opening into the great 
court, — Peter was admitted into the court. The air 
was chill this morning, and the servants built a fire of 
coals upon the pavement; and they all stood round 
it and warmed themselves. When the maid that 
let him in saw Peter standing by the fire, she looked 
at him earnestly, and said, ‘Art thou not one of this 
man’s disciples?’ Peter denied before them all, and 
said, ‘ I am not his disciple ; I know him not.’ 
And he left the fire, and went out into the porch. 
While he was there, another maid saw him, and 
said, ‘This is one of the men that was with Jesus 
of Nazareth.’ ‘ I am not,’ replied Peter. A ser- 
vant of the High Priest, standing by, turned and 
looked at Peter. ‘ Thou art one of them,’ he said, 
decidedly. ‘Did I not see thee in the garden with 
him ? ’ Peter denied it with an oath, and said, 4 Man, 
I know not what thou meanest ; I know not this 
Jesus of Nazareth of whom ye speak; ’ and, while 
the oaths were still sounding in the air, Jesus 
turned, and looked upon him.” 

“Oh, what did he do, Judah? Did he tell them 
the truth, and confess that he was Jesus’s disciple?” 
asked Esther, eagerly. 

“ Nay, he rushed out and wept bitterly.” 

Esther’s face clouded. 

“Any one can weep over wrong-doing,” she 
said, contemptuously. “ Peter is a coward ! ” 


250 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Nay, nay, my daughter, judge him not,” said 
Asa, gently. 

“ I will not, I do not wish to judge him, father; 
but it was cruel, cruel to treat Jesus so ! ” 

“ After Jesus had been scourged and taken into 
t the hall,” continued Judah, “ he was given over to 
the soldiers, who gathered around him to make 
sport of him. Dressing him in a scarlet robe, 
one of the men ran out, and, breaking some 
branches from a thorn-tree, they made a crown 
of it, and put it on his head.” 

“But, Judah, the thorns are long and sharp.” 

“Ay, but the soldiers cared naught for that; 
they pressed it down upon his head, and, putting 
a reed into his hand, bowed the knee before him, 
crying, Hail, King of the Jews ! Hail, King of 
the Jews! When they had grown tired of so 
doing, they struck him on the head, and spit upon 
him, and mocked him. Pilate, coming in, took 
Jesus from them, and brought him, dressed as he 
was, before the people, and said, ‘ Behold the 
man ! I bring him for you to look upon, that 
ye may know I find no fault with him/ The chief 
priests were beside themselves with rage at the 
delay, and cried with re-doubled fury, *■ Crucify 
him ! Crucify him ! 5 Then Pilate gave him into 
their hands. At once they started for the place 
of crucifixion, a spot just outside the city walls, 
laying the cross upon his shoulders for him to 
carry; but he was weak from fasting, and from 


The Crowd mock at Jesus . 


251 


scourging, and he had not the strength ; it weighed 
him to the ground.” 

“Did they make him try to carry it again?” 
asked Rachel, compassionately. 

“ Nay, a stronger man was found, and he carried 
it beyond the walls ; and there they crucified Jesus 
between two thieves. Pilate wrote an inscription : 
‘This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews/ 
and put it upon the cross above his head. He 
wrote it in three languages, so that all men could 
read. The chief priests, when they saw it, begged 
Pilate to change it ; but he would not. ‘ What I 
have written, I have written/ he answered.” 

“ Did Jesus speak after he was nailed to the 
cross? ” asked Asa. 

“ Ay, several times; at first, he said, ‘Father, 
forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ ” 

“ Asking of God forgiveness for his enemies ! ” 
whispered Rachel ; “ and they say he is not the Son 
of God ! ” 

“ A great crowd,” continued Judah, “ followed 
Jesus when he left the city; and now they passed, 
back and forth, along the road near the cross, 
jeering and scoffing him. The priests, wagging 
their heads, cried, ‘Ha, ha! If thou be the Son 
of God come down from the cross!’ ‘He saved 
others, himself he cannot save!’ ‘He trusted in 
God. Let Him deliver him now. if He will have 
him; for he said, “I am the Son of God!”’ One 
of the thieves upon the cross cried, mockingly, ‘ If 


252 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


thou be the Christ, save thyself and us ! * But the 
other turned unto him for forgiveness.” 

“ What did Jesus say?” asked Esther, eagerly. 

“ He forgave him his sins,” answered Obed, 
softly. 

Esther’s eyes shone. 

“Was his mother by the cross, Obed?” asked 
Rachel. 

“Ay, she stood near the cross; and Jesus saw 
her, and gave her into the care of John, the dis- 
ciple who loves him so. He hath taken her to his 
own home.” 

“ Poor Mary, poor broken-hearted mother ! ” said 
Rachel, tenderly, her eyes lingering upon Judah. 

“ When the noon hour was come, a thick dark- 
ness spread over the city and over the hills round 
about Jerusalem — ” 

“ Ay, and far beyond,” said Asa. 

“ — blotting out the sun. So it remained for 
three hours, until Jesus died. Then the earth 
shook, the rocks were rent, and many tombs 
were opened. The centurion who was watching 
Jesus, cried, ‘ Truly, this man was the Son of 
God ! ’ In the confusion and fright, a messenger 
from the Temple sought the priests, to tell them 
that the veil, the matchless curtain of tapestry 
which, behind the golden doors, hangs before 
the entrance to Jehovah’s chamber, had been 
torn from top to bottom, opening to the light of 
day the Holy of Holies.” 


Burial of Jesus. 


253 


“What does it mean, Obed? Was it done by 
the earthquake?” 

“ I know not, Rachel; the curtain is as thick as 
a man’s finger, and hard to rend. May it not have 
been done by Jehovah?” he asked, reverently. 

“ Thinkest thou He hath departed, and Himself 
thrown open His dwelling-place?” asked Asa, 
anxiously. 

Obed shook his head ; he could not answer. 

“Did Jesus suffer on the cross, Judah? ” asked 
Esther. 

“Ay, more than I can tell,” answered Judah, 
sadly. “ It did not seem to be pain of body, so 
much as pain of soul. Was he not bearing the 
sins of the world, he the sinless one?” 

“ Verily, thou art right, Judah,” said Asa, with 
conviction ; “ what a load ! What a load ! ” 

“ When all was over,” continued Judah, “ Joseph 
of Arimathea and Nicodemus, — the two members 
of the Sanhedrin who consented not to his death, 
for they were his disciples, though they told no 
man for fear of the chief priests, — losing all fear, 
went boldly to Pilate and begged the body of 
Jesus. After a soldier had pierced his side, to 
make certain of his death, Pilate gave the body to 
them. Carefully withdrawing the nails from the 
hands and feet, they took him down from the 
cross, and, wrapping the body in fine linen and 
many sweet spices, laid it tenderly in a new tomb, 
and rolled a great stone before the entrance.” 


254 4 sa of Bethlehem and his Household . 

“Hast thou heard aught of Judas?” asked 
Ruth, suddenly. 

“Ay, he is dead.” 

“ Dead ! ” exclaimed Asa. 

“ Dead ! ” echoed Esther. 

“ Ay, upon the mountain, across the Valley of 
Hinnom, he hung himself upon a tree. His sup- 
port breaking, he was dashed upon the rocks 
below, where his body was found.” 

“ Look, Rachel ! ” said Ruth, breaking the 
silence following Judah’s last words, pointing to 
the faint light showing through the lattice, 
— “ look, the dawning of the morning of the 
Sabbath day ! ” 


XX. 


“CHRIST IS RISEN!” — LEVI AND CLEOPAS. — 
LEVI MAKES A REQUEST OF HIS MOTHER. — 
WHAT PETER AND JOHN TOLD IN THE TEM- 
PLE. — EZRA A LEPER.— HIS AGED MOTHER. 


CHAPTER TWENTIETH. 


HEN Judah went to the olive-orchards 
upon the first of the week, he found 
many of the old trees uprooted, and 
lying upon the ground. 

“ Father,” said Esther, “wilt thou not go down 
to the orchard, and see what is best to be done 
with the young trees that were injured in the storm ? 
Judah thinks they can be straightened; but he is 
not sure. Do go, father; the walk will do thee 
good.” 

“Verily, thou art wise in thy devising to keep 
thy father from his thoughts,” said Asa, kindly; 
“ but thou art right, the walk will do me good. 
I will go.” 

Late in the day, a little before the going down 
of the sun, Rachel and Esther set about the prepar- 
ation of the evening meal. As they worked, Levi 
came hurriedly and joyfully up the road, and, 
bursting in upon them, cried, “ O Aunt Rachel, 
I have such glorious news to tell thee ! Where 
is mother and Uncle Asa? Jesus is risen from 
the dead ! He is alive and well ! ” 

“ O Levi, run to the orchard and tell father ! ” 
cried Esther, her face rivalling the sunset in its 



1 7 


258 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


brightness. “There is no mistake? Thou art 
sure? ” 

“Ay, I have seen him,” he cried, as he ran 
toward the orchard. 

Asa, with Judah and Levi, returned at once to 
the house ; and when they had taken their places 
about the table, the meal being ready, Asa said, — 

“ Now, Levi, tell us all thou knowest about our 
risen Lord.” 

“I will begin over again,” said Levi, smiling; 
“ for mother, Aunt Rachel, and Esther have no 
knowledge except that Jesus hath risen. 

“ On the Sabbath day, the priests went to Pilate, 
and said, ‘ We remember that this deceiver, while 
yet alive, said, “ After three days I will rise again.” 
Command therefore that the sepulchre be made 
fast until after the third day, lest his disciples steal 
him away, and say unto the people, He is risen 
from the dead ; and the last state of things be 
worse than the first.’ Pilate consented to their 
demand ; and, after sealing the stone, they set a 
guard at the door of the tomb. Mark was busy 
yesterday, helping his father repair the olive-press. 
There was nothing I could do ; so I went to the 
little village of Emmaus with Cleopas, a disciple 
and lover of Jesus. He was heavy of heart, and 
very sorrowful ; and we spake of naught save Jesus, 
his trial, and his death. As we walked and talked, 
a stranger joined us. ‘Why are ye so sad?’ he 
asked, as we went. Cleopas was grieved that he 


The Walk to Emmaus. 


2 59 


should have heard nothing of Jesus’s sufferings 
and death, and asked, almost roughly, ‘ Art thou 
a stranger in Jerusalem, that thou dost not know 
the happenings of these last days?’ And he said, 
‘What hath happened?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth, a 
man mighty in deed and word before God and 
men, but hated by the chief priests and rulers, 
hath been condemned and crucified. We trusted 
that he had come to save Israel,’ returned Cleopas. 

“ ‘ O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe 
all that the prophets have spoken ! ’ answered the 
stranger. ‘ Ought not Christ to have suffered these 
things, and to enter into his glory?’ And begin- 
ning at Moses and the prophets, he explained unto 
us all the things in the scriptures concerning Jesus. 

“ When we reached Emmaus, Cleopas invited 
him to break his fast with us; for our hearts 
warmed toward him, and we fain would have had 
more of his teaching. He consented, and we sat 
down to eat. Taking the bread, he blessed it, and 
then, breaking it, gave it to us to eat I cannot 
tell thee how it was, but when he had broken the 
bread, we knew him ! He was Jesus ! We were 
so amazed we could not speak, and he left before 
we had said a word. Without delay we hurried 
back to Jerusalem to tell the joyful news. O 
Uncle Asa, everything the prophets wrote con- 
cerning Jesus has come true ! ” said Levi, eagerly. 
“ Can we not read again their writings, now that 
he hath risen ? ” 


260 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“ Then Jesus looks not as he did before he 
died,” said Asa. “Wherein is he changed?” 

“I cannot tell thee, uncle; he hath the same 
body, but there is a difference. Perhaps he is 
more like the angels, and comes and goes as they 
do. That same evening, the eleven were sitting 
together, and had carefully closed the door for 
fear of the Jews. While they sat at meat, lo, Jesus 
himself stood in their midst! They, thinking him 
a spirit, were terrified. But he said, ‘ Peace be 
unto you. Why are ye troubled? Behold my 
hands and my feet: handle me and see; for a 
spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have,’ 
and he showed them not only his hands and his 
feet, but his side, where the soldier thrust his 
spear. ‘ Have ye any meat?’ he asked them, for 
they were yet afraid of him. They gave him a 
piece of broiled fish ; and he ate it before them 
all. Then they were convinced that he was not 
a spirit, but the Christ. Again he said, ‘ Peace be 
unto you. As my Father hath sent me, even so 
I send you. Go ye into all the world, and preach 
the gospel to every creature.’ ” 

“Hath Peter seen Jesus?” asked Esther, sud- 
denly. 

“ Ay, Jesus hath talked with Peter, and he is a 
happy man. He will never again deny the Lord,” 
said Levi, decidedly. 

“Who rolled away the stone from the tomb, 
Levi? ” asked his mother. 


Story told by the Chief Priests. 


261 


“ An angel, and the guard became as dead men 
through fear. When they came to themselves, 
they went into the city and told the chief priests 
all that had happened. They called a council, and 
decided to give money to the soldiers, if they 
would say, ‘ His disciples came by night, and stole 
him away while we slept.’ ” 

“ But what if this comes to the governor’s ears ; 
will they not lose their lives? ” asked Rachel. 

“ Ay, but the priests promised to persuade the 
governor ! ” 

“ Will Jesus live in Jerusalem now that he is 
risen? ” asked Ruth. 

“ Nay, he will not remain on earth. He is going 
to his Father God in heaven.” 

“ Going to heaven ! ” exclaimed Esther. “ Who 
then will help us? How can we live without him?” 

“ He hath said,” replied Obed, reverently, “ that 
he will live in the hearts of all who love him and 
keep his commandments. He will be ever with 
us, helping us overcome sin.” 

“ Verily, Obed, he will be nearer to each one of 
us than when he lived upon earth,” said Asa. 

“ Perhaps so, Uncle Asa; this may be better for 
us — ” 

“ But, Levi,” said Obed, “ every one could not 
come close to him in the old days. Now he will 
be near to each one of us, and will guide us in all 
things. He hath said, ‘ Lo, I am with you alway, 
even to the end of the world.’ ” 


262 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


“ Mother,” said Levi, an hour later, “ the night 
is beautiful, wilt thou not walk with me a little way 
toward the orchards, that I may have speech with 
thee concerning myself? May I bring thy mantle, 
mother?” 

Ruth’s answer was a smile ; but when the mantle 
had been brought, and they were upon the road, 
Levi talked of many things, but spake not of 
himself. 

“ Hast thou not something more to say to me, 
Levi, my son ? ” asked Ruth, with a smile, as they 
turned their faces homeward. 

“ Yea, mother, Esther would call me a coward, 
if she knew how I put off speaking unto thee about 
this thing with which my heart is filled. Thou 
heardst me tell what Jesus said unto the eleven, 
‘ Go into all the world and preach the gospel to 
every creature.’ Mother, may I go ? ” 

“ Thou art not one of the eleven, Levi.” 

“ Thou art right, mother ; but they cannot do 
this thing alone. They must have helpers. Re- 
memberest thou not how long I was with Jesus in 
and around Capernaum? Day after day I listened 
to his teachings. I want every one to know of his 
words, mother,” cried Levi, stopping short in his 
excitement, and bringing his face close to her own. 
“May I not do what I can? ” 

Ruth stood a moment without speaking. Give 
up her boy, her only son? And there came be- 
fore her again the memory of that awful day when 


Obed Returns from Jerusalem. 


263 


she stood alone beside her dead, and Jesus looked 
upon her and said, with tenderest pity, “ Weep 
not.” 

“ He in his infinite love,” she said, slowly and 
with effort, “ gave thee back to me when death 
had snatched thee from me; and now I will give 
thee up to him. Go, my son ; and may the God 
of our father Abraham be with thee to bless thee 
alway.” 

One evening, about seven weeks after the resur- 
rection, Asa and his family were seated upon the 
house-top. They had been speaking of the disci- 
ples, of the eleven, and of Judas. 

“ What has become of Ezra,” asked Esther, 
suddenly. 

“ I know not,” replied Judah. “ He hath not 
been seen in Bethlehem since the crucifixion. But 
here comes Obed; he hath just returned from 
Jerusalem.” 

“ Hast thou aught to tell us about our risen 
Lord ? ” asked Asa, as he rose to greet him. 

“ Ay, many things,” answered Obed. “ Peter 
and John have been in the Temple all the day. 
They told me of many things which I have come 
to tell unto thee.” 

“ Thou givest unto me that which is more than 
meat and drink, Obed,” returned Asa, happily. 
“ Sit thou here beside me.” 

“ Levi told thee,” began Obed, “ how Jesus 


264 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


showed himself to the eleven on the evening of 
the day he arose from the grave. Thomas was 
not with them. When he came in, and they told 
him that they had seen the Lord, he would not 
believe them, and said unto them, ‘ Unless I see 
the wounds in his hands, and put my finger into 
them, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not 
believe!’ Eight days after, the disciples were all 
together, and Jesus came again, and said, ‘ Peace 
be unto you.’ Then turning to Thomas, he said, 
‘ Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands ; 
and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my 
side : and be not faithless, but believing.’ ” 

“ What did Thomas say,” asked Esther, bending 
eagerly forward. 

“ ‘ My Lord and my God ! ’ 

“ ‘ Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou 
hast believed : blessed are they that have not seen, 
and yet have believed,’ answered Jesus.” 

“ Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet 
have believed,” said Rachel, slowly. “That say- 
ing will bring comfort to many souls in the years 
that are coming.” 

“ Ay, they are blessed words.” 

“ The next morning the disciples went into 
Galilee. While they were at Capernaum, Peter 
and six others went out one night upon the 
lake with their nets. As sometimes happens, 
they toiled all night, but caught nothing. Dis- 
couraged and tired, when the misty dawn appeared, 


Miraculous Fishing. 


265 


they drew near to land. Looking toward the 
shore, they saw one standing upon the sand, and 
a voice came to them over the still waters, — 

“ i Have ye any fish? ’ 

“ They answered, ‘ No/ 

“ ‘ Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and 
ye shall find/ 

“The disciples hesitated. ‘Had we better try 
again?’ they asked one another. ‘ We have toiled 
all the night, and have caught nothing. Think’st 
we shall now find fish?’ 

“ ‘ Let us throw the net once again,’ said Peter: 
and they cast it into the sea, when, lo, they were 
hardly able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes 
that it enclosed. John turned to Peter, and said, 
‘ It is the Lord ! ’ 

“ Before he had finished speaking, Peter jumped 
into the lake, and swam quickly to the shore. 
The rest, taking to the small boat, and dragging 
the net of fish, reached the shore without delay. 
They found a fire of coals built upon the sand, a 
broiling fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus was 
standing near; they dared not ask him whence he 
came, but they showed their pleasure by look and 
action. As he said, ‘Bring of the fish which ye 
have now caught,’ Peter went and drew the net 
upon the sand, and found it full of great fishes, an 
hundred and fifty and three: and yet the net was 
not broken. Jesus took the bread and broiled fish, 
and gave it to them to eat. 


266 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household. 


“When they had finished, he turned to Peter, and 
said, ‘ Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more 
than these? * 

“‘Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee/ 
answered Peter. 

“ Again, and still a third time, he asked, ‘ Lovest 
thou me ? ’ 

“ Peter was grieved because he said unto him the 
third time, ‘ Lovest thou me,’ and answered, 
‘Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest 
that I love thee.’ ” 

“ Peter denied his Lord three times ; and now he 
confesses that he loves him better than all else/’ 
said Esther, eagerly ; “ and he confesses it three 
times. I am glad for Peter ! ” 

“Was Jesus seen by any one save the eleven?” 
asked Rachel. 

“Ay, while they were near Capernaum, some- 
where in the mountains, he showed himself to 
five hundred of his disciples. They worshipped 
him with great joy. 

“After they returned to Jerusalem, and the day 
was come when Jesus would ascend to his Father, 
he said again to the disciples, ‘ Go ye therefore, and 
teach all nations, teaching them to observe all 
things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, 
lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of 
the world.’ And he went out of the city with 
them, on to the Mount of Olives. And he lifted 
up his hands and blessed them, and while he 


Love thy Neighbor. 


267 


blessed them, he ascended to heaven to be with 
God ; and a cloud hid him from their sight. 
They returned to Jerusalem, and have been all 
day in the Temple, telling of the wonderful 
things that God has done for them.” 

When Obed finished speaking, Asa, lifting his 
eyes to the clear sky, so blue and thickly set with 
glowing stars, murmured, “ Blessed art Thou, 
Jehovah God, the Holy One, and Jesus Christ, 
Thy Son ! ” 

“ Esther, knowest thou aught of Ezra’s mother?” 
asked Rachel, pausing a moment beside her daugh- 
ter, as she sat in the open door, her parchment 
upon her knee. 

“ Nay, mother,” answered Esther, wonderingly. 
“ Why askest thou the question ? ” 

“ Evil tidings reached me this morning,” replied 
Rachel, stooping to brush a bit of dust from her 
gown. “ Thou knowest she is old and feeble, and 
now that Ezra hath left her, there is none to care 
for her. It is said she suffereth for want of food. 
Wilt thou not go and see her, Esther, and find if 
there be truth in the report?” 

“ Will not Aunt Ruth go, mother? Thou know- 
est how I dislike Ezra; and — ” 

“ Rememberest thou Jesus’s saying, that all the 
world are neighbors, and that to love God with 
the whole heart, and our neighbor as ourselves, is 
the first and greatest commandment?” asked 
Rachel, gently. 


268 Asa of Bethlehem and his Household . 


“ Thank thee, mother,” said Esther, with a kiss. 
“ I make but a poor disciple. I will go.” 

Esther returned from her visit with a sober face. 
To Rachel’s inquiry, she answered, — 

“ She is in sore distress, mother. Not only doth 
she lack for food, but she hath trouble of mind and 
heart as well. Ezra hath not forsaken her; he can- 
not come to her. He is a leper ! ” 

“What sayest thou, Esther?” asked Asa, enter- 
ing the room. “Ezra a leper!” 

“ Ay, and he can no more return to Bethlehem. 
His mother is in great distress and need. Oh,” 
cried Esther, passionately, “ doth not his soul 
condemn him, and cry out for that Jesus whom 
he hath helped to crucify ! He could have healed 
him with a word.” 

“ Daughter,” said Asa, after a moment’s reflec- 
tion, — “ daughter, here is something for us to do. I 
will give to her food and clothing, but that will not 
be enough. She will need help of another kind, 
tender sympathy and care; for she is truly old and 
feeble. Wilt thou give to her what she needeth, 
daughter? ” 

Esther raised her shining eyes to her father’s face. 

“ Verily, I will give unto her all that thou hast 
said, father, and give it gladly,” she answered, 
softly. “ It is work I can do for the Master whom 
I love.” 


THE END. 
















